Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete records, inadequate examinations, and potential errors in the initial rating decisions. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence and VA treatment records, as well as obtain any vocational rehabilitation or Chapter 31 records.

The Veteran's headaches (migraines) are found to be due to his military service, and service connection is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left foot condition, right foot condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left wrist condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, lower back condition, sciatica with numbness (LLE), and sciatica with numbness (RLE).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for BPPV has been remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2020 VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic otitis media, and sinusitis are inextricably intertwined with the BPPV claim and have also been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee strain and left ankle strain have been granted restoration of their respective ratings to 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The rating for traumatic arthritis/causalgia, residuals right foot and ankle injury has also been restored to a 20 percent rating.,A 20 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's left knee strain and left ankle strain throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and any other acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the validity of his claimed stressor.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, respiratory condition (Asthma), and right knee condition are remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examinations or nexus opinions.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, respiratory condition (Asthma), and right knee condition are remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examinations or nexus opinions.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for respiratory condition (Asthma) are remanded due to discrepancies between STRs regarding asthma history and the 2020 non-VA provider's opinion. The AOJ should obtain an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran's current Asthma is related to service or pre-existed service.,The Veteran's claims for right knee condition are remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The 2020 non-VA provider provided a nexus opinion, but it did not address or reconcile the Veteran's history of chronic daily alcohol use which can have similar symptoms to TBI.,PTSD service connection is remanded due to insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor and lack of adequate VA examination. The AOJ should obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran has a current TBI or residuals related thereto.

The claims for service connection related to the endocrine system, hematologic and lymphatic systems, neurologic conditions and convulsive disorders, infectious diseases, immune disorders, and nutritional deficiencies have been dismissed. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for sequelae of pericardial effusion, conduction abnormalities requiring ablation and pacemaker, and resultant heart failure, as well as esophagitis and GERD, has been granted.

The Veteran's left knee strain and left ankle strain have been granted restoration of their respective ratings to 10 percent for the entire appeal period.,A 20 percent rating has been granted for traumatic arthritis/causalgia, residuals right foot and ankle injury.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for bilateral pes planus and knee patellar subluxation, finding that her conditions have not improved under ordinary life circumstances.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee strain, finding that these conditions are caused by the Veteran's obesity, which is a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits, other than employment benefits, to include a program of independent living services pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 due to the lack of reasonable feasibility in achieving a vocational goal and improvement in independence in daily living.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip, right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia was denied.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent evaluation for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia was also denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's right knee disability, scars of the right knee, anxiety/mental issues with PTSD, insomnia with headaches and nightmares, left knee disability, and back pain as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that readjudication is warranted.

The Veteran's neck, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all found to have begun during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hip disability.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal regarding service connection for a right knee disability, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board denied service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, type II diabetes mellitus, and a left leg below the knee amputation due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were present during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left ankle, left hip, and right hip disabilities as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's appeal concerning service connection and increased rating for various conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.