The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have resulted in a loss of use of both legs, warranting higher level SMC.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions has led to complete immobility due to ankylosis, resulting in no effective function remaining other than that which would be equally served by an amputation with prosthesis.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Total Right Knee Replacement, Total Left Knee Replacement, Right Knee Osteoarthritis, Right Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Meniscus Tears, Left Knee Arthritis, Right Buttock Surgical Scar, Right Knee Replacement Surgical Scar, Right Thigh Scar Post Right Knee Replacement, Left Knee Replacement Surgical Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23057207
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 23057207.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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