CAVC Case 22-2326: Knee
CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · 2022-02-25 · PIETSCH, Judge
This is a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — the federal court that reviews Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, one level above the Board. Court decisions can vacate, reverse, or affirm what the Board did.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Conditions Claimed
KneeShoulderHipTDIUArthritisRadiculopathy
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Issues on Appeal
Service ConnectionEffective DateTDIUIncreased RatingHip Condition
Why It Was Decided This Way
The examiner opined that his right shoulder disability was not related to service or his service-connected left shoulder disability.
In May 2014,another VA examiner opined against nexus because [t]here is no medical literature to support the contention that a fracture metatarsal or a shoulder separation would aggravate any .
Approximately two years later,the Board denied service connection for a left and right hip disorder and right shoulder condition.
The appellant subsequently appealed that denial to this Court and the claims were again remanded after he and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs agreed that neither the July 2011 nor May 2014 VA medical nexus opinions adequately informed the Board on the issue of aggravation.
Additional opinions were obtained in August 2017,but the Board found those to be similarly inadequate and subsequently ordered additional nexus opinions on both causation and aggravation.
In June 2019,VA obtained another set of nexus opinions that opined against nexus for the claimed hip condition because the Veteran has no diagnosed right hip condition.
The examiner also opined against nexus for his right shoulder condition,asserting that it was most likely caused by normal aging and the Veteran's generalized debilitated state from his stroke residuals and confinement to [a] wheelchair.
VA obtained additional medical opinions that opined against nexus in October 2020.
Authorities Cited
Denial Type
Credibility|No Nexus|Duty To Assist|Inadequate Exam
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