Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if there are any additional factors contributing to her need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability is rated at 100 percent effective November 29, 2016. The earlier effective date of November 29, 2016 for SMC based on aid and attendance is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, and awarded an initial rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of whether the increase in ratings was factually ascertainable during the one-year lookback period prior to the December 19, 2020, claim.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for a right hip condition, to include right hip replacement and left hip condition. The claim of service connection for skin cancer was also denied. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and seizure disorder. Service connection is also granted for right knee and left knee disorders characterized by painful limited motion.,The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to service due to documented in-service exposure and symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the number and severity of surgical scars on the Veteran's left knee. The AOJ needs to provide another examination to determine these details.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 21, 2017 for the grant of a 10 percent rating for right knee instability and subluxation. The Veteran's lay statement is sufficient to establish that his disability increased in severity within one year prior to the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for limitation of flexion, knee (osteoarthritis, left knee), finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disability, and there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury related to his knees. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for either knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, low back, left and right foot, and left and right knee conditions due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examination opinions.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of bilateral knee gout, and therefore service connection for this condition cannot be granted.,The Veteran's depression is found to be a result of his alcohol abuse. Service connection for the depression cannot be established as it would violate the prohibition against compensation for disabilities resulting from willful misconduct.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee conditions have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to her active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for reopening service connection claims for various knee and ankle disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current left knee condition, which he claims was caused by an injury sustained during service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right shoulder impingement. The conditions are considered to be directly related to active duty.