Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent TBI residuals was denied as no evidence of such condition during active service or thereafter. The rating for tinea pedis remains noncompensable due to the use of topical treatment. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate were granted prior to September 15, 2020. Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance was established prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and service. The Court found that the VA examiner did not adequately consider the Veteran's reports of continued knee pain during and since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right or left knee disability, TBI residuals, or nerve condition in his right arm. The evidence does not support finding these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and meniscal tear, left foot drop, and peroneal neuropathy were denied in July 2018. The Board is remanding these issues.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle disability was also remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, lower back condition, and gastritis.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee injury status post total knee replacement, finding that chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness approximated the criteria for this rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee strain with joint osteoarthritis, and right knee strain with joint osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, lumbosacral spine degenerative joint and disc disease (lumbar spine disability), and cervical spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The right ear hearing loss disability is still being considered, with the RO to adjudicate an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee condition. The case is now remanded to obtain an adequate opinion from a clinician regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current right knee condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of his left knee conditions, finding that the earliest date of claim was July 17, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee has been dismissed. The Veteran also requested an increase in his rating for migraine headaches, but this issue is not part of the current appeal as it was addressed under the legacy system and did not involve new evidence or claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not rated higher than noncompensable due to infrequent attacks and lack of prostrating episodes.,A 10 percent rating for left leg instability is granted, with the condition being attributed to fibular fracture.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis in the left knee does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, but the claims for increased initial ratings are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining an addendum opinion and potential toxic exposure records. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder, but further clarification on obesity as a factor is needed.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete reviews of his medical records and failure to verify stressor events. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence or undergo further examinations.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic headaches (migraines) have been granted with effective dates of June 30, 2020. The Veteran's claims for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, left knee condition, and right knee condition are being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied with an effective date of November 8, 2019. The Veteran's supplemental claim seeking an earlier effective date is dismissed as it was not filed within one year of the initial decision.,The Veteran's claims for chronic headaches (migraines), left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, left knee condition, and right knee condition are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee arthritis prior to November 19, 2021 is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis and right knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral flat foot (pes planus).