The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, granted a 20 percent rating for the left knee disability prior to August 30, 2018, and denied a higher rating from October 1, 2019. TDIU was granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's shoulder or knee disabilities were related to service, but did support a 20 percent rating for left knee disability prior to August 30, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left knee chondromalacia, internal derangement with arthritis (prior to August 30, 2018), total left knee replacement (from October 1, 2019), total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 14, 2025
- Citation
- 25005038
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a right hip disability, and granted a 30 percent rating for ureterolithiasis. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, while other claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions of the left and right hands, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and foot, but granted service connection for a right knee disability and fibromyalgia. The decision was based on medical evidence that did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right elbow disability, left hand disability, and left shoulder disability to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions in relation to the Veteran's reported in-service injuries.
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