Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's arthritis did not begin during his active duty or within one year after discharge. The evidence showed no chronic knee problems in service and no continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right knee strain, finding that new evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's left knee strain status post-surgery, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral pes planus, right Achilles' tendonitis, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The cervical spine disability has not been established as related to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left foot, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left hip disability has been reopened, and the rating reductions from 20 percent to 10 percent effective August 1, 2017 for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were found improper. The 20 percent ratings are restored.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, subject to further development on remand issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been granted service connection. His depressive disorder has also been granted.,A 100% disability rating for CAD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left knee tendonitis, limitation of extension, and TDIU due to new evidence or development being required.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to July 10, 2015 due to incomplete records and for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited flexion.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is currently rated at 40 percent and no higher. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, CAD, GERD, bilateral CTS, knee osteoarthritis, shoulder strain, lumbar spine disability, OSA, and skin disorder.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's conditions were presented to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.,Secondary service connection for left wrist and right wrist disabilities will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities based on the Veteran's credible statements and medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are related to her service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. The left hip disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability were not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable for the period on appeal prior to January 24, 2019.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent effective September 23, 2021, based on limitation of extension. A separate 20 percent rating for instability has been granted since May 12, 2022.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability prior to March 2, 2021, and a compensable rating for right knee disability prior to September 23, 2021, are denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and related disabilities were granted a higher rating from April 13, 2016. A TDIU was also granted for the same period due to her service-connected conditions.