Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral upper/lower extremity residuals of cold injury, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his limited mobility and balance issues. The Board granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and assistance.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for various conditions, including right knee and upper extremity disabilities as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, prostate cancer, and hypertension have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that would support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied. A separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent for left knee instability was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee fracture with degenerative arthritis has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction are granted. The right ear hearing loss and right knee disability claims are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent rating, but an initial higher rating is denied.,Service connection for right and left knee disabilities (osteoarthritis) is granted.

The Veteran's left knee instability rating was improperly reduced from 10% to noncompensable effective July 1, 2020. The initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains at 20%. A remand is required to schedule a VA examination for the back disability.

The Veteran's appeals to increase ratings for facial scars and herpes types I and II were withdrawn. The claims of increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, satisfied with his 100 percent disability rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions due to untimely filing of VA Form 10182.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gastric bypass as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an eating disorder, all related to OSA.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee replacement is being reviewed for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and VA treatment provided may have been at fault.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran's October 2020 request to continue the appeal under the modernized review system was invalid and not properly before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous VA examination, and it is recommended that the Veteran undergoes another examination to determine if his left knee disability had its onset during service or is related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain, tinnitus, right knee strain, left knee status post arthroscopy, and bilateral flat feet. The claims for service connection for these conditions are all considered to be direct service connections based on evidence of in-service injury or event.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, finding that the Veteran's continuous pain symptoms since separation from active duty are related to his in-service injury. The decision is based on lay evidence and a VA opinion that was not fully accurate.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee and upper back conditions did not begin during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and thus, service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of gout and evaluations for his right knee degenerative arthritis, lower left extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to active service.