Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headache disability is service-connected, but has remanded his right knee disability claim due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of the Veteran's left knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that no earlier effective date was warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with limited extension, instability, and flexion due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating. The claims for service connection for Gulf War bacteria and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for a left foot disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, right kidney disability, right shoulder disability, hemorrhoids, left knee osteoarthritis, and sinus disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the original decision. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, breast lump, and tinnitus are all being reviewed further.

The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, which include fibromyalgia and other musculoskeletal issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and total right knee replacement due to new evidence. However, the claims are remanded as the RO did not adjudicate the merits of the Veteran's theories of entitlement regarding asbestos exposure and wear and tear from military service.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability and a right knee disability, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee condition and denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left knee disability to ensure that the Veteran receives an appropriate medical examination and any necessary records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle, knee, and hip disabilities are being remanded for further development due to inadequate examinations at the time of the initial decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a chronic sinus condition, rash on the hands and fingers, and a right knee condition as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of medical evidence linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, left knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition as they were found to be duplicative appeals. The claim for a neck condition was remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for right knee pain, lower back pain, incontinence, and left knee condition was dismissed. However, the appeal for migraine headaches was granted.

The appeal for a compensable disability rating for the service-connected seborrheic dermatitis is dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of all relevant evidence, including subsequent VA treatment records.