Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and a brain disorder, finding that the appellant did not have these conditions during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) from July 9, 1984 to August 20, 1984. The Board concluded that any preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the bilateral knees as secondary to hypothyroidism and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism due to additional evidence being associated with his claims file.

The appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction is dismissed. A 50% disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability (heel spurs, plantar warts, hammer toes) is granted. The appeals regarding right knee, left knee disabilities, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, or right knee disability are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from August 8, 2011, through May 4, 2014, rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with Baker's cyst and meniscal tear is rated at 30 percent since September 12, 2012. The rating for limitation of extension was denied from February 22, 2023 to present. A temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence following right knee surgery has been granted multiple times. TDIU is granted effective July 13, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities.,These conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lower back disorder, and bilateral shin splints due to a lack of persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, respiratory disorder (other than sleep apnea), bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection is denied. The left knee issue remains remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement and arthritis of the right ankle. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the SMC issue.

The Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected back and heart disabilities from August 25, 2014, to March 21, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, right hip, bilateral plantar fascitis, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee strain and osteoarthritis are related to his service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and continuation of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, specifically related to in-service motor vehicle accidents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has identified multiple issues related to the Veteran's hip and ankle conditions, as well as hypertension. These claims are being remanded for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's left elbow status-post avulsion fracture, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain have been granted service connection with a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability has also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral wrist/hand and left knee braces caused excessive wear and tear on her clothing in calendar year 2014, which led to the denial of a clothing allowance. The Board found that the Veteran's claim was valid based on her credible testimony and lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, left knee disability, and traumatic brain injury due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.