Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied. The claims for reinstatement of the ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy were dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and spine disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations, which are necessary to determine if there is a link between the claimed conditions and active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including hypertension, hip disabilities, knee disabilities, cervical spine DDD, migraines, and left leg radiculopathy. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and Viral Gastroenteritis are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to duty-to-assist errors, and the Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective June 30, 2017. The Board found that the increase in disability caused by his service-connected conditions made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of this date.

Service connection is granted for allergic rhinitis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease, and osteochondritis dissecans to include osteochondral fracture right ankle.,An effective date prior to December 8, 2017, for service connection for left knee disability and right ankle disability is dismissed.

The Veteran's mood disorder is granted as it was caused by the medications taken for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is denied due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip condition secondary to flat feet, BLE radiculopathy (right knee) and left ankle condition (claimed as left ankle fracture residuals). The Veteran's subjective reports were not supported by objective medical evidence.,Service connection was also denied for BLE radiculopathy secondary to a lumbosacral strain. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any current disability or persistent symptoms of BLE radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for recognition of his August 2, 1994, correspondence as a valid and timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the June 16, 1994, rating decision. The issues of service connection for various disabilities remain pending and must be remanded to allow for proper procedural development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the denial of service connection for a left knee disability was received, and thus the appeal is granted.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for right hip disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability due to new and relevant evidence received since the prior rating decisions. The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, to include social anxiety, have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left achilles tendonitis and peripheral neuropathy of the left leg is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, deviated septum, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and allergic rhinitis are all granted due to exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent disability ratings for left and right knee disabilities are granted.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the minimum compensable level of 50 percent, with no higher rating granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, requiring further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet, left ankle condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and right leg condition are all granted as service connection is established based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis (claimed as left shoulder condition) and right shoulder strain (claimed as right shoulder condition) are also granted as service connection is established based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bone disease, hemorrhoids, neck arthritis, back arthritis, bilateral hand arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral ankle arthritis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claim for hypertension has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current left knee disability to his active service, specifically his in-service treatment for a left knee MCL strain on May 21, 2003. The Veteran is requested to undergo another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability.