The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 60% disability rating for total left knee replacement and the 40% disability rating for groin muscle injury, right, muscle group XIV are denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an earlier effective date than April 1, 2020 for the left knee replacement or August 17, 2020 for the groin muscle injury.
The deciding factor: The claims were not continuously pursued and there is no medical or lay evidence to support that it was factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred prior to the dates of claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Knee Replacement, Groin Muscle Injury, Right, Muscle Group XIV
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24045864
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24045864.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent for the total knee replacement and a 10 percent rating for the scar. The appeal was granted on both issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST) and remanded the claims for HIV-related illness, hypertension, left knee replacement, and sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee replacements, finding that there was no evidence of severe painful motion or weakness in either knee.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to a legally inadequate medical opinion. The Board finds that further clarification and explanation are needed regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services, supervision, or instruction.
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