Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, which has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left knee disability, low back disability, and hemorrhoids have been denied. The VA has determined that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as sleep-wake disorder and PTSD), a low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, right foot disorders, and left foot disorders are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after new examinations have been conducted.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for higher ratings and service connection.

The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits due to a total disability immediately preceding death, and there is no indication that his cause of death was related to service. The appellant's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a survivor's pension, so she does not qualify for this benefit either.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities caused him to become obese, which in turn caused his Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on regular aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities required him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from August 20, 2020 to September 9, 2021 due to service-connected knee and neurological disabilities. The effective date is set at August 20, 2020 as the evidence shows the Veteran was employed in a protected work environment during this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, deviated septum disability, hernia disability, and GERD as there is no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee strain and DDD/IVDS have been granted service connection.,Left knee condition remains pending due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's jaw condition is granted as service connected.,Service connection for residuals of pneumonia is denied.,Right knee disability secondary to right ankle disability is granted.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected.,Sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the jaw condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee chondromalacia patellae with osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination reports and the need to consider the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for new evidence.

The claims regarding reduction of the disability ratings for low back strain and left knee degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.,The claim regarding reduction of the disability rating for tinea versicolor remains on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as a total right knee replacement, is related to an injury sustained during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in August 1954. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction should be remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant medical records and providing opinions on service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection, and the claims for knee and shoulder conditions are remanded due to insufficient medical nexus opinions.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your claims. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these matters.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.