The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and initial ratings for her left knee and hip disabilities was denied. She received a single, increased 50 percent rating for left knee ACL repair with arthritis and ankylosis effective October 21, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability was granted from the same date. Initial ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent were granted for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and abduction respectively, both effective October 21, 2016. The Veteran received a 70 percent rating for left hip osteoarthritis with ankylosis from November 11, 2020.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations indicated that the Veteran's left knee disability had ankylosis in flexion between 20 and 45 degrees, warranting a 50 percent rating under DC 5256. The separate 20 percent rating for instability was granted based on moderate medial and mild lateral instability found by the May 2018 VA examiner. Initial ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent were assigned for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and abduction respectively, both effective October 21, 2016. The November 2020 VA examination noted ankylosis in flexion between 20 and 45 degrees, which is the basis for the 70 percent rating granted from November 11, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee ACL repair with arthritis and ankylosis, left hip osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23012320
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 23012320.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions including hypoglycemia, sinusitis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle pain, left hip osteoarthritis, left knee sprain, bradycardia, dry eye, hernia, hypercholesterolemia, and bilateral hearing loss.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction over the August 2021 rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis are granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus, migraines, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, lumbar spondylosis with sacroiliac dysfunction (a lower back disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus, migraines, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, lumbar spondylosis with sacroiliac dysfunction (a lower back disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service connected.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and paralabral cyst as well as left hip osteoarthritis, femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and paralabral cyst. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and parachute jump related trauma.
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