Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to the evidence being at least in approximate balance that the Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since then.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (left and right) is denied because there is no current diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome or any other disorder of the wrists resulting in functional impairment.,Service connection for bilateral ankle osteoarthritis (left and right) is remanded as VA examination was not provided to address the Veteran's lay reports of chronic ankle pain that began in service and has continued since then.,Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted due to the evidence being at least in approximate balance that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis had onset during active service, manifested within one year of separation from active service (by December 1998), or was otherwise caused by his reports of chronic knee pain due to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The issues include bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, left knee septic condition as secondary to bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, acquired psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis of the lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the low back, and jaw/speech impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder due to lack of current disability. The claims are REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that they do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was also rated at 10 percent, with the Board finding no basis for an increased rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings related to alcohol use disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee pain, right shoulder pain, irritable bowel syndrome, hearing loss, and eczema.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ankle pain, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, stimulant use, and cannabis use disorder), due to a failure to consider new evidence in the original decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for left knee disability is denied. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at October 28, 2018.

The Veteran's arthritis, low back disability, and right upper extremity neuropathy were not incurred in or caused by service.,A 30 percent rating for cluster headaches (formerly tension headaches) is granted as of July 16, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee strains due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 3, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran had a high rating for his Meniere's disease and sleep apnea but was capable of performing employment duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lower back (bulged disc), and tinnitus conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for right knee instability from February 7, 2021 is dismissed because the issue was already pending in the Legacy system and addressed by a previous Board decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including migraines, urinary dysfunction, and knee and spine issues, due to an impermissible concurrent election under 38 C.F.R. § 3.2500(b).

The Veteran's claims for service connection of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and left knee degenerative arthritis were granted effective June 1, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion on whether the service-connected right knee disability aggravated the Veteran's left knee degenerative osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including STRs from his National Guard service. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for gastritis and an examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of all foot disorders, hepatitis C, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis warrants a rating of 30 percent, but not higher. The left knee instability and meniscal tear issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that affect his mobility and require a wheelchair and assistive devices.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's service-connected somatic symptom disorder and degenerative knee disorder caused him to become obese, which was a substantial factor in causing his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that symptoms were chronic in service and continuous since service.