The Veteran's claim for an extension of the temporary total evaluation for convalescence due to partial revision left knee surgery beyond October 31, 2017 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent for his left and right knee disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee from May 11, 2016 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status, for periods other than September 12, 2017, to November 1, 2017, is denied.
The deciding factor: The partial revision of the left knee replacement did not require a greater period of convalescence beyond October 31, 2017. The Veteran's TDIU from May 11, 2016, renders moot his claim for an extension of the temporary total evaluation.,The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new rating criteria.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, he meets the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating based on mild persistent instability in the right knee.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the old or new rating criteria.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran does not meet the statutory criteria for SMC at any other time than September 12, 2017, through October 31, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee degenerative arthritis status-post TKA, right knee degenerative arthritis status-post TKA, left side carpal tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23007912
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 23007912.
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