Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of the left hand is dismissed as it has already been granted. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC by reason of need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of the left hand. However, he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability as there was no evidence of current disability during or approximate to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for left eye, CTS of the left wrist, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to their limited functional impairment, with flexion of both knees being limited to 105 degrees.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a left wrist disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical lower back pain, right knee pain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and low back disability should be remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically regarding the need for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed migraine headaches, left knee strain, right knee strain, left lateral collateral ligament sprain, and right lateral collateral ligament sprain as they are proximately due to his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral flat feet respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, post-concussive headaches with a noncompensable initial evaluation, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with an initial 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's claims are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's tension headache is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has found that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.,The right knee condition and sinus condition claims are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic low back condition, dysphagia/difficulty swallowing, right knee condition, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome as the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee tendinitis and right knee tendinitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new medical opinion is required to address the Veteran's contentions of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee tendinitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the development of her claims. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee tendinitis and right knee tendinitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new medical opinion is required to address the Veteran's contentions of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee tendinitis and right knee tendinitis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new medical opinion is required to address the Veteran's contentions of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, a low back condition, and right and left knee conditions have been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and now requires an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.