Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of his conditions during service.

The Veteran's left knee condition, including instability, is currently rated at 20 percent based on lateral instability. The claim for a higher rating based on flexion remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and requests an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, his left hip disability (limitation of extension) and left knee disability are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision is based on medical opinions that link the Veteran's weight gain and subsequent OSA to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and left hip disability (secondary to knee disability) are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when the claims are readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, right knee disability, and left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disability and neck disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted service connection as secondary to her left knee strain with instability. An effective date of December 5, 2018, but no earlier, is granted for the award of service connection for left knee strain with instability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted a 10 percent rating prior to March 17, 2010. An increased rating higher than 10 percent for the right knee disability is denied. The low back disability is denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent. A TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from March 17, 2010.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right hip osteoarthritis, as well as a right knee disorder post total replacement and degenerative disc disease are granted. The claim for left knee osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus has been granted service connection. The left knee and left foot disabilities have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 due to service-connected disabilities. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to February 1, 2015 is denied as the Veteran does not have a total disability rating during that period.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, right knee condition, PTSD with depression, OSA, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as they have already been granted in prior decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to the need to obtain private medical records from Dr. H. and Dr. B.K.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability due to combat service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and left knee disabilities. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a back disability, both secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an appropriate examination to evaluate his left knee disability, including considering the use of a brace and cane.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, right hip condition, left hip condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded.