Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim asserting clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the July 2005 rating decision regarding his bilateral knee conditions is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headache disability, and left knee chondromalacia patellae were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee chondromalacia patellae was also denied.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error for the claims of service connection for various lower extremity disorders. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, and he has reported in-service injuries. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any current diagnoses exist and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating due to the severity of their symptoms. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood is also rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for sinusitis was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee replacement surgery on February 13, 2019, is entitled to a temporary total disability rating under the old criteria for one year from April 1, 2019.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal, satisfied with the current ratings and effective dates for all issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left forearm and left knee disabilities, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between any in-service injury or disease and the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for muscle spasms and pain in upper back, muscle spasms and pain in neck, right knee strain with popping and pain (also claimed with right knee scar tissue), left knee strain with popping and pain, left ankle strain with popping and pain, and right ankle strain with popping and pain due to insufficient evidence to resolve the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. The Board finds there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and that TDIU benefits are not warranted because the Veteran is not unable to obtain and sustain financially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis B infection, prostate cancer with voiding dysfunction, PTSD, and various neuropathies, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted in June 2021. The appeal is dismissed as the issue has been resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of sinusitis, tinnitus, and left knee pain. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee conditions, finding that these conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent from January 1, 2021, to April 1, 2021, and at 60 percent thereafter. The Board has found the VA examination inadequate due to a recent surgery and requires an additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions that are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability but denied service connection for a right leg and/or knee condition (claimed as a right leg disability). The Veteran's hip disability is presumed to have started during active service, while her knee condition does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability was denied.,The reduction in ratings for the right hip trochanteric bursitis with thigh impairment and limitation of flexion were upheld, but the restoration of ratings for pruritus (eczema) was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.