Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for bilateral heel spur and bilateral tibial stress fracture are being remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hip disability, and an initial 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus. The Board also remanded issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for right and left knee iliotibial band syndrome, as well as service connection for a back 'condition' and a left hip 'condition'. The Board found there was an inferred claim for TDIU based on a private medical opinion indicating the Veteran could not work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the reduction of the rating for the right knee and the increased evaluation for the left knee as they were not yet final decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity peripheral artery disease and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected left leg disability is not considered in determining whether these conditions are secondary.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability found to be related to military service.

Effective dates of August 15, 2020 are granted for service connection for various knee and back conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peroneal tendonitis of the right ankle with instability and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to that condition are granted. The claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is remanded due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability, while the claim for right lateral epicondylitis (right elbow) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic left foot disability, chronic right foot disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizoaffective disorder), chronic lumbar spine disorder, chronic cervical spine disorder, chronic left shoulder disorder, chronic left knee disorder, chronic right knee disorder, chronic left ankle disorder, and chronic right ankle disorder. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for five issues, including service connection and increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain and tendonitis/tendinosis, as well as a functionally impairing low back disability. The decisions are based on direct service connection due to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for increased and reduced ratings related to various knee, hip, and shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations, and his lay statements about in-service injuries are considered.

The Veteran's service connection for left shoulder tendinitis is granted, and the initial disability ratings for cervical strain, left arm radiculopathy, and slight left knee instability are also granted. The Veteran's request for an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome from March 29, 2020, is denied, but a separate initial disability rating of 10 percent for slight left knee instability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of lower back pain, right knee meniscal tear, and allergic contact dermatitis, as these conditions were not awarded until January 27, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative arthritis, left knee was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for degenerative arthritis, right knee was denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no question of law or fact to resolve due to the effective date for service connection being granted on July 28, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service connected, and the issues of right wrist, left wrist, and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his obstructive sleep apnea and right shoulder disability were not productive of chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale, nor did they require a tracheostomy. The effective date for the initial rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is October 4, 2011.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability was denied in a final decision and reopened with new evidence filed on August 22, 2013. An initial 20 percent rating has been assigned since then.