Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The decision also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscus tear, limitation of motion with arthritis in the left ankle, and limitation of motion with arthritis in the right ankle. The claims are based on continuity of symptoms since active service.

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.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed right ankle, lumbar spine, right knee, right hip, right shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left elbow, and cervical spine conditions based on credible lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's right knee strain. The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right little finger disability was denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or functional impairment akin to amputation, and thus no basis for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations and the Board finds she demonstrated good cause for missing them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, memory loss as secondary to traumatic brain injury, left hip disability, and left knee disability have been denied. The claim for right foot disability is remanded.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for gout and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination.,For lumbosacral strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, fatty liver disease (claimed as hepatitis C), and bilateral hearing loss, service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current Lyme disease and its residuals, such as fatigue and left knee pain, and his active service. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and possible relationship to service of his Lyme's disease or the residuals thereof.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle tendonitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that an increased rating beyond this level is not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and sleep apnea disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or event that caused these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities are inadequate, necessitating a remand to obtain updated medical opinions addressing the onset of these conditions during service or their relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee strain, finding that it is related to his military service and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his service, but further clarification is needed regarding his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The right knee disability claims require an addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's knee conditions had their onset during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lower back condition is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in the February 2022 VA opinion, which did not consider aggravation. The Veteran's left hip disability is being reviewed for possible causation or aggravation by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to service exposure, and therefore denied his claim. The right knee and foot disability claims are remanded due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding secondary aggravation.