The appeal to restore the rating for right knee strain with osteoarthritis and slight recurrent patellar dislocation was denied, while a separate 10 percent rating for right knee patellar subluxation from May 24, 2017, was granted. An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches from April 7, 2016, was also denied.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the evaluation of the right knee strain with osteoarthritis and slight recurrent patellar dislocation was found to be proper due to material improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work. A separate rating for right knee patellar subluxation was granted as it did not require surgical repair or involve a ligament sprain/tear from May 24, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- right knee strain with osteoarthritis, slight recurrent patellar dislocation, headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2024
- Citation
- 24031709
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
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