Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as a neck disorder. The claims for right hip and left hip disorders were remanded.,There is no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's current right or left knee or hip disorders to her active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, foot fungus, and acid reflux. The right knee injury and hemorrhoids remain under review.,Service connection is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae, foot fungus, and acid reflux. The right knee injury and initial compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim was denied because he did not serve during a period of wartime for pension eligibility purposes, and his service-connected disabilities were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee osteoarthritis was denied in October 2023. The Board has now remanded the case to obtain an adequate VA examination and provide a retrospective opinion on the severity of his disability during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disabilities and an examination to address the theory that sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left knee postoperative surgical scars have been denied as the scars do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 7801.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee conditions are related to increased physical demands and overuse during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, and low back condition as secondary to knee injury due to duty-to-assist errors. A VA examination is required for the left knee condition, and efforts must be made to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since October 1, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 14, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for back disability, bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate VA medical examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to assess his current functional impairment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC under 38 USC § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of an adequate rationale for the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities.

The Veteran's osteopenia, manifested by pain and causing impairment in earning capacity, is granted. The right lower extremity fractures are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee extension and flexion, but granted a 10 percent rating for right knee instability effective February 1, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability should be remanded due to errors in duty to assist and incomplete medical opinions. The claims file needs to be updated with any outstanding VA treatment records, particularly from Temple, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Little Rock, Arkansas. An addendum opinion is also needed from the March 2022 VA examiner or an appropriate medical professional.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's lay statements indicate his conditions are related to active-duty service, including carrying heavy items and standing in vehicles over rough terrain.

The Board granted service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and left knee strain on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance prior to December 15, 2021 was denied as there is no evidence showing he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pain, left foot pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain as secondary to obesity caused by the Veteran's service-connected benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).