Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeal for SMC because it was improperly referred to the AOJ, and the issue is now part of a separate legacy appeal for an increased rating for total left knee replacement.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically his left ankle and left knee conditions.,The Veteran's right knee disability is also granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically his left ankle and left knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spondylolisthesis, right shoulder strain with shoulder impingement syndrome, and bilateral hip strains as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for TBI due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for left knee, right knee, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, and left hip strain are remanded as the VA examiners did not consider all relevant evidence and potential in-service causation.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including Baker's cyst, meniscal tear, and arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent for extension limitation and noncompensable for flexion limitation. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for lumbosacral arthritis and strain, as well as service connection for a left knee disorder, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 13, 2018 for the grant of service connection for right knee strain and left strain. The Veteran's claims were continuously pursued since he filed his initial claim on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of an etiology opinion in some cases, and the failure to obtain such opinions constitutes a predecisional duty to assist error.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal to increase his rating for a right knee disability was untimely. The case is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide an adequate statement of reasons or basis for not obtaining a VA examination to consider specific in-service evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee pain.

The Veteran's right knee strain and spinal stenosis have been granted increased ratings, but the rating for right knee strain has been remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for her spinal stenosis, which includes a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left knee scars post-ACL repair and an increased rating beyond 10 percent for left knee tendonitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable or higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 10, 2009 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for left and right knee conditions are remanded due to procedural errors.

Your appeal seeking service connection for a left knee disability has been dismissed because it is an improper concurrent review election.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100% disabling since November 20, 2019. He also has additional disabilities that combine to at least 60%, qualifying him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the subsection (s) rate.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee strain, and left wrist sprain. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to a lack of an opinion on whether OSA is aggravated by tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right shoulder disability, a bilateral knee disability, and a right foot disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee arthritis and synovitis, left knee arthritis, and gout due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's lay statements regarding military service are considered in determining the etiology of his knee conditions.