The Veteran's initial increased rating for left knee disability prior to February 2, 2016, is denied. A separate 20 percent evaluation for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the left knee prior to February 2, 2016, is granted. The Veteran's status post total left knee arthroplasty from April 1, 2017, warrants a 60 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes due to his pre-existing conditions and lack of additional functional loss or instability.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee mild degenerative joint disease, dislocated semilunar cartilage of the left knee, status post total left knee arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 9, 2023
- Citation
- 23044466
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 23044466.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for the service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as the issues of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disability and special monthly compensation (SMC), to include based on the regular need for the aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for status post total right and left knee arthroplasty.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed.,An earlier effective date of September 29, 2015 has been granted for the 70 percent rating for PTSD.,An earlier effective date of September 29, 2015 has also been granted for TDIU.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) has been granted from November 1, 2018.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because the AOJ has already granted a total disability rating for his left knee arthroplasty from August 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016.
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