The Board granted an effective date of April 20, 2021 for a 30 percent rating of the left knee replacement condition and denied earlier effective dates for service connection of left hip strain and limitation of abduction and adduction. The psychiatric condition was rated at 50 percent.

The deciding factor: The evidence showed an increase in severity within one year prior to the Veteran's intent to file a claim, supporting an earlier effective date for the left knee condition but not for the hips or psychiatric condition.

Claimed conditions

left knee replacement condition, psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, left hip strain, left hip limitation of abduction and adduction, right hip condition

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

50%

Decision date

February 4, 2025

Citation

A25009854

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