Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left and right knee degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopies are being remanded due to a failure to consider the evidence of record regarding pain with weight-bearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected bilateral hearing loss warranted a compensable rating.,The Board found that the Veteran's right and left shoulder tendonitis, and right and left knee osteoarthritis are related to service, including the March 2009 fall during military training.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, indicating he no longer wished to pursue the claims for service connection and rating determinations related to right lumbar radiculopathy, left lumbar radiculopathy, IBS, a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, right knee, and left knee conditions are etiologically related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's psychiatric condition (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder) and hypertension are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that her current disability is due to an in-service injury and there is no conflicting medical evidence. The Board considered all relevant evidence, including lay statements and VA examination reports, and determined that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for revision of the November 1978 rating decisions that denied service connection for right thigh and right knee disabilities due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The decision concluded there was no CUE in the original determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and entitlement to temporary total disability due to convalescence, as there is a duty to assist error in obtaining a medical opinion prior to the January 2021 rating decision on appeal.

The Veteran's disability rating for his left and right knee scars was reduced from 20 percent to noncompensable effective May 1, 2021. The Board found that the reduction did not comply with applicable law and regulations, and restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for right lower extremity paralysis with atrophy and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee impairment with meniscal tear due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim seeking service connection for a left knee disability, allergic rhinitis, and hemorrhoids has been granted. The Veteran was previously denied these claims due to lack of new and relevant evidence, but the readjudication now grants them based on the receipt of such evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right total knee replacement, which is claimed as secondary to their service-connected right knee strain, needs further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2019 VA examination and the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee iliotibial band syndrome and strain with shin splints, and also granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knees, specifically right knee instability and bilateral meniscal conditions. The effective date for service connection for left knee instability is denied as there is no evidence of such prior to October 24, 2020.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted since the August 2019 rating decision. The Veteran's stressor statement provided in March 2020 was considered, along with VA treatment records and a VA examination, which supported reopening of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee condition, right-hand arthritis as secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep disorder as secondary to PTSD, and denied service connection for neck condition as secondary to back condition. The effective dates of these decisions are not specified in the decision.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and has remanded the case for further development, including an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability, all secondary to service-connected left ankle disability. Additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.