Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for left wrist, right wrist, left knee, right knee, and neck disabilities as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome with partial meniscectomy, lateral release, subchondroplasty, and chondromalacia, is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 2, 2020, and denied for greater evaluations. A separate rating of 10 percent has been granted for right knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, dermatitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. Service connection was denied for vertigo, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and dermatitis.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 25, 2007, and no earlier for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left femur/knee disability and for TDIU prior to January 29, 2021 has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are no longer pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to her right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for costochondritis and left knee disability were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, assess the severity of his PTSD and left knee tendonitis, and provide opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded and will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disability, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered along with her in-service complaints.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The rating for IVDS with myelopathy, status post anterior and posterior fusion was denied as the disability did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes requiring physician-prescribed bed rest for 6 weeks in a one-year period. The initial rating for left knee strain prior to November 12, 2021, and the TDIU claim prior to October 19, 2015, were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition did not have its onset in service and was not otherwise caused by service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, including an in-service injury. The claim will be reopened due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for painful motion and a separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports, requiring a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and provide an opinion on functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being addressed.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the case.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is also remanded for further development.