Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The low back disability is being remanded as there was no opinion on whether it is aggravated by a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected right knee and left hip disabilities due to concerns about the ameliorative effects of medication. Additionally, a remand is required to obtain private medical records from Drs. Dorman, Bowen, and Reagan.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee strain, and diabetes mellitus are granted. The claim for fibromyalgia is denied. The Veteran's left knee strain rating is maintained at 10 percent.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) (SMC R-1) effective July 12, 2017 due to his service-connected osteopathic joint disabilities and acquired psychiatric disorder requiring constant need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his current ratings reflect the impairment caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee brace, used to treat his service-connected right knee arthritis and laxity, tended to cause wear and tear on his pants in the 2021 calendar year. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for this reason.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and improper reliance on a partial basis for denying an increased rating. The Veteran's right lower extremity disability includes multiple conditions, including fractures, surgeries, and knee instability. The claim is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for an adequate VA examination to determine the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of evidence in service treatment records and an impermissible reliance on that absence. The Veteran's right knee condition is being reviewed again for proper consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting to withdraw all issues related to the initial evaluation for left shoulder strain and service connection for various conditions including right shoulder strain, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, anxiety, right knee disability, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction, lumbosacral strain, migraines headaches, right upper hand nerve damage, left upper hand nerve damage, and sleep disturbances and/or insomnia.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that his current condition is related to a fall from a crane during military service.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee strain and right shoulder condition. The Veteran's headaches are also being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed right knee strain, right shoulder condition, or headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is also considered secondary to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating.,The right knee strain did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations and the AOJ did not properly develop the claim in accordance with M21-1 provisions governing claims involving foreign residency.

The Board has denied service connection for right wrist, left wrist, and cervical spine disabilities due to the lack of current disability evidence. The Veteran's claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet), sleep apnea, and skin condition are remanded.,The Board has denied service connection for right wrist, left wrist, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to the lack of current disability evidence. The Veteran's claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet), sleep apnea, and skin condition are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and neck disability due to potential duty-to-assist errors prior to the January 2023 decision. The VA is required to obtain relevant Community Care records from VistA Imaging system and provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations to determine the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and tinnitus. The denial is based on a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis and right knee chondromalacia patellae with osteoarthritis. The evidence supports that the Veteran's ED is related to his bilateral knee conditions.