Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective August 2, 2018. The appeal seeking SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are required to determine whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities are etiologically related to service. The claims for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, C6 radiculopathy, knee disorders, and ankle disorders are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back, neck, left wrist, right wrist, right knee, and right shoulder disorders. The appeal is allowed to that extent only.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is granted as service connected.,Major depression (claimed as anxiety and insomnia) is also granted as secondary to the left knee disability.

The appeal for increased ratings for bilateral knee disorders, a lumbar spine disorder, and PTSD is dismissed due to the invalidity of the Veteran's VA Form 10182.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. New examinations are required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral joint arthritis have not been manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees, thus the claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and left knee conditions due to outstanding military hospital records and a need for medical nexus opinions.

The Board has found that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the issues of service connection for various ankle, knee, foot, and back disabilities. The AOJ must provide new VA examinations and obtain adequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is etiologically related to a right knee injury incurred during active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of extension and internal derangement are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support ratings higher than 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the examination report and the need for a secondary opinion that considers all possible conditions as the cause of the claimed disability.

The Board has withdrawn the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right foot disabilities due to a request from the Veteran. The appeal is now REMANDED for obtaining medical records from private providers.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to adjudicate the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury, left knee disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims at this time.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than one daily insulin injection and a restricted diet. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee strain and right shin splints were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain or a compensable rating for right shin splints.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected right knee, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee instability, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tendonitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal.