Knee decisions — 2024

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability with total knee replacement, effective October 18, 2020. The claim was reopened due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the initial denial in February 1994.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's knee disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address certain aspects of his claims, including the onset of his knee and shoulder disabilities during service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at or above 60 percent. The Board granted SMC at the housebound rate based on his service-connected conditions. However, the claim for SMC(k) related to erectile dysfunction caused by medication for major depressive disorder was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, SI joint dysfunction, sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and femoral radiculopathy, right lower extremity were denied as they predate the date entitlement arose.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection of right knee degenerative arthritis limitation of extension was denied as it predated the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired mental disorder is deemed to include all acquired mental disorders.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and evaluations for left knee strain with instability (previously rated as synovitis), limitation of extension, and limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service or the conceded exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and VA examinations. The Veteran's current disabilities of the shoulders and right knee are associated with an in-service motorcycle accident, but further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or caused by that event.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss cases are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain, right knee chondromalacia, and tinnitus are all granted service connection as they are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to the Board finding that it began during active duty and has persisted since then, despite conflicting medical opinions.,Service connection for a neck disability is denied because there was no in-service injury or disease. The Veteran did not report symptoms until after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for limitation of flexion in the right knee due to a lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee DJD and has remanded the claims for right knee DJD and right wrist osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back, left shoulder, bilateral knee and foot disorders (chronic joint pain), and bilateral foot skin disorder. The Board found that these conditions did not onset during active service or are otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is no evidence linking the left knee disorder to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to errors in the duty to assist, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting appropriate examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee strain, finding that it is not related to active service and was not manifested within one year following service separation. The Board also found no continuity of symptomology since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for left and right knee instability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability, or greater than 10 percent prior to February 15, 2022, or greater than 30 percent beginning February 15, 2022.