Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders may be related to service, but additional evidence is needed to substantiate these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left chondromalacia of the patella (left knee disability) and chronic mechanical spine syndrome (low back disability). The appeal is remanded for further consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's torn lateral meniscus, degenerative joint disease, chondromalacia, and right knee status post ACL tear and osteotomy have been rated at 10 percent since January 31, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to limited flexion of the knee.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a separate rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not caused by an injury in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee arthritis is causally linked to his in-service football injuries, and thus grants service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions due to potential errors in obtaining pertinent medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: increased rating for left knee disability, initial rating for sleep disturbances, and TDIU. The Veteran needs a new examination for his left knee condition due to inadequate previous examination, and a mental health examination is needed for his sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis rating was restored from 10% to 40%, effective July 1, 2020. The reduction was improper due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of evidence showing improvement under ordinary conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right knee condition, finding that the claim was not received within one year of separation from service and thus the earliest possible effective date is June 4, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is at least as much evidence to support these conditions being related to his military service. The Veteran's headaches, left elbow disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability have been remanded for further review.,The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The Veteran's headaches, left elbow disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to errors in obtaining VA medical records and considering the effects of medication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable ratings for various conditions related to his knees, nerves, sleep, and legs have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish current disabilities or persistent symptoms for some of these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for left knee instability and limited flexion, effective January 8, 2021. The previous rating decision denied these conditions based on the Veteran's service-connected left femur disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and right knee arthritis, but the claim of sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's testimony about snoring in service and buddy statements are new evidence that may support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a total left knee replacement and left knee scar, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to concerns about the adequacy of the evidence considered in the previous rating decision.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the minimum compensable level (10%) throughout the appeal period, as they do not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations for pain and instability of the bilateral knees due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left hip, right knee (secondary to lower back condition), left knee, left shoulder, right hip, and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle conditions due to potential errors in obtaining relevant medical records.