Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain records from Dr. K.D., who previously owned the medical practice of Dr. T.G., where the Veteran received treatment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to December 16, 2021 are being remanded due to incomplete development as per the previous Board decisions.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis and right shoulder strain (dominant) have been granted a disability rating of 20 percent each, while the right knee condition has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The Veteran's bilateral knee, low back, and hearing loss disabilities were found to have worsened prior to October 24, 2013, but no other service-connected conditions worsened in the one-year period preceding the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot cellulitis scar, left knee condition as secondary to service-connected left ankle strain, and right knee condition as secondary to service-connected left ankle strain has been dismissed due to untimely filing.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot pain and right foot pain has also been dismissed due to untimely filing. The Veteran was granted service connection for back strain.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 30, 2009 for the grant of a TDIU and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 3, 2019.,TDIU is granted from June 3, 2019. The appeal for TDIU from October 9, 2018 to June 3, 2019 is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for a right knee disability, service connection for a left knee condition, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran needs additional VA treatment records and verification of his stressors. A VA examination is required for the left knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, left knee pain, and right knee pain are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee tendonitis, and left knee tendonitis are all found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a change in evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of relevant medical records, particularly those from St. Vincent's Orthopedics and Oak Street Health.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for various hand and knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various orthopedic conditions, including right shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement syndrome, left knee and hip chondromalacia, left ankle tendonitis, major depressive disorder, bilateral stress fractures, and a residual fracture of the right middle finger have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for awards related to housebound status, Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) have also been granted.

The Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing he became unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment within a year prior to his July 2020 filing.

Your appeals for increased ratings for IBS with GERD and hiatal hernia, and right knee limitation of extension have been dismissed as moot because they were already adjudicated in legacy appeal streams.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities remain at 20 percent each. Other conditions have been addressed or denied.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeals.