Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension (pursuant to the PACT Act), emphysema with endobronchial valve in left lung, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, a left shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral disability (lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease), and a left knee condition are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for emphysema with endobronchial valve in left lung, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, a left shoulder condition with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral disability (lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease), and a left knee condition are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The Board granted service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to readjudicate the claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and right knee disability. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of severe painful motion or weakness.,The Veteran's right ankle condition is rated at 20 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities. These issues are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address all theories of entitlement raised, specifically the theory of aggravation. The Veteran's low back disability is being requested to be reviewed by another examiner to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have not met the criteria for increased evaluations, with flexion and extension limitations not reaching levels that would warrant higher ratings.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died before a decision could be made on severing service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for lower back disability, headache disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The Veteran's request to withdraw her appeal regarding sleep apnea was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not properly adjudicated due to procedural errors, and thus remands are necessary for further development.

Your appeal was dismissed because the VA Regional Office had not yet made a decision on the issues you listed in your February 2022 form. The Board cannot review decisions that have not been issued.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities based on limitation of motion, as flexion was limited to no worse than 90 degrees in the right knee and 100 degrees in the left knee. Service connection was also denied for various conditions including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, acid reflux, skin hyperpigmentation, hair loss disability, cyst on the chest, PFB, insomnia, hypertension, bladder condition, acquired psychiatric condition (depression and anxiety), TBI, eye disability, low back condition, and umbilical hernia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee condition, including degenerative arthritis and a sprain, due to incomplete records and need for an updated medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, finding that there is no direct evidence linking his current OSA to his military service. The Board also found that obesity, which he claims as a result of his service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities, did not cause or aggravate his OSA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities due to a failure of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the onset of these conditions in active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hand condition (trigger finger), left hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition have been denied.,There is no persuasive evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her conditions, specifically related to periods of active duty and reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for left hip and low back conditions, as well as the need for further evaluation of his right knee condition and chest scar.