Knee decisions — 2024

The appellant withdrew his appeal for service connection of a left knee disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscal tear, arthritis, and Baker's cyst. The PCL tear is still considered service-connected.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is rated at 30 percent, replacing the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 17, 2021 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and chest pain due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran reported persistent knee pain with or without activity and recurring chest pain in his separation examination report.

The Board has determined that the February 2021 VA examination for the right knee disability is inadequate and remanded to obtain a new examination. The Veteran contends he should be awarded a higher rating due to his symptoms, including pain during active and passive range of motion testing.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of left knee and hip degenerative arthritis, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperhidrosis, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee disability (patellofemoral pain syndrome), and back disability (muscle spasms of thoracolumbar spine) as there was no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition for hyperhidrosis or hemorrhoids, and his erectile dysfunction claim lacked a diagnosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of a right knee disability. The Board dismissed the claim as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to be the cause of her current left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran also has a current right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia, which she attributes to injuries sustained during basic training.

The appeal for service connection of right knee, left knee, neck cyst removal, and ovarian cyst disabilities has been dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a Notice of Disagreement within one year from the issuance of AOJ decisions.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TMD and a higher initial disability rating for TMD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date prior to April 27, 2020. For service connection of left knee and right knee disabilities, the Board found no probative medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected right knee disability, including a request for another VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for residuals of right foot strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee condition due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and right knee disability have been granted service connection, with effective dates of March 16, 2020 for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran asserts his knee disabilities are related to his service, including carrying heavy sea bags during service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,These issues include claims for various conditions such as arthritis, anxiety and depression, and tumors.

The Board has remanded two claims: one for service connection for left knee disability, limitation of flexion and another for service connection for left hip disability, limitation of flexion of the thigh. The Veteran's disabilities are alleged to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the low back disability). The decision is based on the Veteran's lay testimony regarding the onset of his symptoms during active service.