Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has restored the initially assigned 20 percent evaluations for left and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's condition did not show actual improvement during the period at issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are not service-connected as they were either not incurred or caused by his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition due to inadequate medical opinion and duty to assist error.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals regarding the service connection claims for degenerative disk disease, lumbar spine with spondylosis and L5 spondylolisthesis and degenerative joint disease, right knee. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding the ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee strain, thus these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate examination findings and the need for flare-up assessments.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,The Veteran's headaches are currently noncompensable. The evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea, back, knee, and shoulder disabilities prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise as to whether these conditions meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the year 2020 due to his use of bilateral knee braces for service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from February 24, 2021. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 3, 2019 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee strains, and tinnitus. The Veteran's intent to file was received by VA on that date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at a 30 percent rating, and his right hip and left hip replacement disabilities are each rated at a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's right knee total replacement with residuals is rated at a 60 percent rating.,Initial compensable ratings for scars of the right shoulder, right hip, right knee, and left hip were denied.

The appeals of the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and PTSD have been dismissed.,An increased rating for a low back disability has been denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement was filed in response to a notification letter that did not make any decision regarding his claim for service connection for a right knee condition.

The Veteran's left knee instability from December 16, 2019 is granted with a 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's right knee instability from December 16, 2019 is also granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a facial cyst and right knee injury as there was no adjudicative determination within one year prior to the Veteran's August 2021 Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, granted service connection for left knee pain (left knee disability), and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety, and sleeping problems.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as prostate disability, are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Additionally, the rating for lumbosacral strain greater than 20 percent is also remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 30 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis due to improper reduction and inadequate examination.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability are remanded.