Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for left knee strain and DJD, right flat foot and first MTP joint degenerative changes, and right ankle degenerative arthritis have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from June 24, 2010 to June 14, 2016 precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right knee, left knee, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety), headache disorder, TBI, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinea versicolor of the arms, leg, chest, and face are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of CTS, tinnitus, or neuropathy in the record, and the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities are rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Veteran's left knee disability was previously rated at 30 percent, effective March 18, 2019. The RO reduced this rating to noncompensable (0%) effective May 1, 2022, based on the absence of actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has granted the restoration of service connection for six disabilities: left upper leg gunshot wound, left forearm gunshot wound, entry and exit wounds associated with lumbar spine injuries, paralumbar muscles injury, PTSD, and left knee osteoarthritis. The original grant was based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The Board also granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims for left knee and hip disabilities are being remanded.,Service connection is granted for a left knee disability based on continuity of symptomatology since active duty.

The Veteran's disability ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies were restored to 40 percent, effective March 22, 2021. The claim for service connection of bilateral knee conditions was readjudicated due to new evidence received.

The appeal seeking to readjudicate a claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The appeal seeking to readjudicate a claim for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion was denied. A separate noncompensable rating, but no higher, for right knee limitation of extension is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted service connection. The Board found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to potential errors in the initial decision. The Veteran's hearing testimony will be considered, and an addendum opinion is required regarding the impact of his hemophilia on his knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 20% for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are related to in-service IED attacks, with the current conditions being at least as likely as not caused by these events.,Both the low back and right knee disabilities were found to be directly related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for his right knee strain, finding that the increase in symptoms occurred more than one year prior to his intent to file for an increased rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee disability and left shoulder disabilities are denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is denied as not related to service.