Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, including the earlier effective date for service connection of right knee PFS, arthrosis, and medial and lateral compartment articular cartilage defect. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Board has granted the reinstatement of the initial 20% disability rating for left knee scars prior to May 2, 2019 and the reinstatement of the 20% disability rating from May 2, 2019. The reduction in ratings was found to be improper.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee with Osgood Schlatter was denied. The Veteran also sought a prior effective date for the grant of service connection for his right knee disability.,The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating and denied the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent. For the grant of service connection, the earliest effective date considered was May 4, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, right ankle, and bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will obtain examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, peptic ulcer disease with GERD, and lipomas claims should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error related to VA examinations scheduled in connection with these claims. The Veteran was provided incorrect addresses for his VA examinations, which deprived him of necessary evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate reasons or bases in the previous decision.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded all but one of the claims for additional development, particularly to determine whether the Veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to tactical herbicide agents. The dental disability claim is denied as there is no indication or assertion that tactical herbicide agents resulted in a dental disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been dismissed.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, left knee disability, and lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 11, 2020. The rating for LLE radiculopathy remains at 20 percent. Ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent are granted for right knee degenerative arthritis and lateral instability, respectively, both effective August 11, 2020. No ratings in excess of the current ones are granted for left distal fibula fracture and residuals of stress fracture, right distal radius fracture residuals, or left foot painful scar and scar.

Your claim for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee iliotibial band syndrome has been granted. The decision is effective as of the date it was issued, July 10, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, residuals of brain aneurysm, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, scar over left eye, and surgical scar on top of head are not supported by evidence. The Board finds that there is no current medical opinion linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

An effective date earlier than August 22, 2015, for the award of service connection for RLE radiculopathy is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 29, 2018, for the award of service connection for LLE radiculopathy is denied.,A grant of service connection for surgical scars, status post right knee meniscectomy with an effective date of February 23, 2013, but no earlier, was granted.

The Veteran's left and right knee instability were granted increased ratings from June 6, 2014 to May 19, 2015. From May 19, 2015 to February 20, 2018, the Veteran was awarded a maximum schedular rating of 20 percent for each knee. Since February 20, 2018 and June 13, 2018 respectively, the Veteran received a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for left and right knee instability.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's knees were rated based on their instability, with some periods meeting criteria for moderate instability and others for severe instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 6, 2021 for his service connection awards and remanded the initial disability rating claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for left knee strain and femoral chondromalacia, right knee. The Veteran's kidney stones are currently rated at 30 percent.,The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or disease leading to his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various rheumatoid arthritis conditions, finding that no formal claim was submitted within one year of her intent to file and that she did not submit a completed VA Form 21-526EZ as required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and physical conditions like arthritis and back pain, rendered him unable to work as a mechanic starting February 5, 2020. The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 5, 2020 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability.