Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back conditions, left knee conditions, and GERD due to his refusal of VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, tinnitus, Bell's palsy residuals, abdominal pain and diarrhea, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, folliculitis, temporomandibular joint disease, hyposmia associated with Bell's palsy residuals, loss of taste associated with Bell's palsy residuals, and scar, right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period. As such, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis with instability of the left knee, limited flexion of the left knee, instability of the right knee, limited extension of the right knee, and limited extension of the left knee has been granted effective July 28, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of available service treatment records. The Board found that meaningful attempts to obtain these records were not made, and thus a new VA examination is necessary.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating of left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome prior to November 30, 2023 is dismissed as it is already pending in the legacy system.

The Veteran's TDIU was awarded effective November 3, 2020. The Board finds that there has been a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in failing to consider a TDIU prior to this date and refers the matter for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left knee disability and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The effective date is not specified as the decision only addresses the denial of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left total knee arthroplasty and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's disabilities resulted from injuries sustained during his active duty training (ADT).

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, right ankle disability, and right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Veteran's service connection claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's OSA symptoms began during active service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.,The Veteran's right knee strain and meniscal tear were related to in-service injury, and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability other than Right Knee Strain and Right Knee Meniscal Tear is remanded due to need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple orthopedic and psychiatric conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination for service connection of the Veteran's right knee condition. The claim must be returned for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of asthma and COPD was noted in VA records.,Service connection for the left knee disability was also denied. The Veteran reported symptoms but no specific diagnosis or treatment was provided during service.

The Board has denied service connection for right cubital tunnel syndrome, rib disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability as these conditions are not shown to have had their onset during the Veteran's period of honorable service from July 28, 2003 through September 6, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain, claiming it as arthritis and instability, due to a lack of evidence linking his current disability to his active service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for all remaining disorders are inadequate and requires a new examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran's service treatment records document an auto accident in June 1980, which may be associated with his current conditions.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remanded the case for further development. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to his already service-connected bilateral knee disability, needs to be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has found the medical opinions inadequate and has ordered a new VA examination to determine if any bilateral knee pain is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and low back condition. The Board will seek additional opinions to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.