Knee decisions — 2024

Your appeal for service connection regarding left knee condition, right knee condition, and back condition has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.

The appeal for entitlement to a compensable rating for left knee limitation of flexion, separate compensable rating for knee limitation of extension prior to October 29, 2020, and rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee limitation of extension from October 29, 2020 to November 24, 2021 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter were dismissed. The appeal was also denied for a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from April 30, 2014 to July 27, 2020, a 20 percent rating for left knee instability from July 27, 2020 to October 29, 2020, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability for the period beginning on October 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions and new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for left knee disability and TDIU rating due to inadequate medical opinions regarding flare-ups of the Veteran's left knee. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee medial meniscal tear with residual post-traumatic arthritis, but denied any higher ratings. The decision is based on the evidence showing some limitation of motion and pain during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral eye condition and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, while remanding multiple other claims related to various disabilities.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with painful motion from April 1, 2015, and a 10 percent rating for right knee instability from April 1, 2015 to May 4, 2018. The claim for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for right knee instability was denied from May 5, 2018.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for herniated disc at L4-L5, as well as related radiculopathy claims, to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle and knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee strains due to carrying heavy equipment during active service. The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 5, 2022, but granted a higher rating from that date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence. The issues are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee and left knee DJD with patellofemoral syndrome and Baker's cyst, as well as the hallux valgus of both great toes, are all rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board granted service connection for a right and left knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, and an initial 10 percent rating for cervicogenic headaches.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, shoulder impingement, shoulder arthroscopic scars, painful scar of the right shoulder, and knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with chondromalacia and Baker's cyst. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal of the deferred claim for bilateral knee condition is dismissed. The denial of service connection for TBI and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder, is upheld. The claims for sinus condition are remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for left knee instability and right knee instability, but denied increased ratings for the other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left middle finger strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee pain with functional impairment, and right and left ankle pain with functional impairment. The claims for a left shoulder disability, stomach disability, and an anxiety disorder were denied or remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of July 3, 2019, for the award of service connection for right knee strain, limitation of flexion.

The appeal for service connection of allergies, bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee pain, low back pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board granted service connection for right knee disability, finding the evidence to be in approximate balance regarding its relation to the Veteran's military service.