The veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for right knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscus tear, with limitation of flexion, throughout the appeal period. A separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability was granted from March 27, 2016 to March 1, 2022, and a 30 percent rating from March 1, 2022.
The deciding factor: The evidence established moderate lateral instability in the right knee until March 1, 2022, when it became severe. The left shoulder DJD did not meet criteria for higher ratings, but a 20 percent rating was granted for the surgical scar from May 24, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscus tear, right knee instability, left shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD), left shoulder surgical scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2024
- Citation
- 24004948
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral knee instability and denied service connection for right and left knee instability, finding no nexus between the Veteran's knee conditions and his service or service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to the need for additional VA examinations.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for right knee strain and instability but granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension from November 25, 2024.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot condition, right foot condition, cellulitis, right ear hearing loss, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal of the proposal to reduce a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain was dismissed.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.