Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee tendonitis and right knee tendonitis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU has been granted, but the appeal for increased ratings for his right upper extremity radiculopathy and right shoulder disability is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service symptoms and continued since service. The claim is based on direct evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a right knee disability was improper and restored it.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and peptic ulcers on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was also granted for left ankle strain with retained shrapnel, right hip strain, left hip strain, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, knee, wrist, and ankle conditions due to unclear dates of active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to duty-to-assist errors in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left knee condition, which was initially granted but at a low level (10%), is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous examination and the need for a new one that considers flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability began during her active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and radiculopathy. The Veteran's current diagnoses of arthritis of the back and chronic sinusitis are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a right hand condition and a left knee condition due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's reports about his in-service injuries and symptoms are considered, but the absence of post-service treatment records is not sufficient to reject them.

The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the Board is now remanding the case to clarify whether he was enrolled in school full-time and obtain his complete VA vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee strain, and right hip strain due to a lack of current disability as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her right knee and right hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new opinions provided by appropriate clinicians.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and left total knee replacement (left knee disability) on a direct basis, finding that the current disabilities are related to military service. The decision also grants secondary service connection for the left knee disability due to the service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 22, 2016 for service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis and right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for limitation of extension and flexion of the left elbow were also denied as they are not related to the original claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and degenerative arthritis with enthesophyte, as well as left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, both found to be secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia due to submission of new and relevant evidence. The remaining issues are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis and residuals of status-post left knee arthroscopy, is on appeal for service connection. The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the May 2021 rating decision and has ordered remand to obtain an adequate VA opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder.