Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in an employment handicap, thus he is not eligible for VR&E services.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and a skin disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and evidence. The issues include left knee, left hip, and right wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial 20% disability rating for bilateral dry eye with pinguecula and conjunctivitis was granted, but the other claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of a pending unadjudicated claim prior to July 12, 2022. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is set at July 12, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual, as they cause her to require assistance with feeding, preparing meals, dressing, grooming, toileting, managing medication, and attending to daily needs.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and left knee disability. Service connection is denied for fatigue, blurred vision, deviated septum, dyspnea (other than heart disability), and gastroesophageal reflux disease.,The Veteran's service records show he experienced symptoms of tinnitus during active duty in 1991 and his left knee injury occurred during a qualifying period of National Guard service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for right and left knee instability due to the need for an updated examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right ankle, right knee, left shoulder, and low back disabilities, except for a 20 percent rating for the right knee with effusion into the joint effective September 26, 2020, and a 60 percent rating for post-prosthetic replacement of the right knee effective December 1, 2021.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a 60 percent evaluation from August 1, 2010 to August 22, 2024. An evaluation in excess of 60 percent for the same condition after that date is denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right knee, left knee, left wrist, and left thumb disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and lateral instability of the right knee are being remanded due to procedural issues, inadequate examinations from previous years, and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied for the period prior to August 10, 2022. For the period from August 10, 2022, his TDIU claim is granted due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases in the April 2022 decision. The Veteran's right hand, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being examined again to address the issues raised.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment from December 12, 2017 to December 31, 2019 on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant nonVA treatment records.,The Veteran's bladder problems may be related to his lumbar spine disability or a nonservice-connected condition, and further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance. The housebound status claim is moot due to the grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders as they did not comply with the claims processing rules and are procedural defects.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear, and right knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that his disabilities did not meet or approximate criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions provided for the right knee and right hip disabilities are not adequate, constituting a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA opinions on these issues.