Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection, as well as secondary aggravation. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's rating for diverticulosis with resection of the large intestine and ventral hernia was restored to 30 percent effective January 7, 2020. The Board found that the reduction from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper due to a lack of improvement in functional ability. The Veteran's ADHD and bilateral knee disorders were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee conditions, finding that these disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the prior decision and has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right hip strain with limitation of flexion, right hip strain with thigh impairment, and right knee strain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, and he is awarded a 30% rating.,Both his right knee disability (patellofemoral pain syndrome with meniscal tear, arthritis, and shin splints) and left knee disability (arthritis with meniscal tear and shin splints) are granted at a 30% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was timely filed, and the Board granted the appeal as a result of equitable tolling due to extraordinary circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine neck condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, and left knee condition. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal, and his service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and plantar fasciitis have been reopened but denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residual pain from right hand injury, residual pain from fracture right little finger, disability manifested by low back pain, right foot metatarsalgia, DJD of the left knee, residuals of right knee replacement, and posttraumatic headaches.,Service connection is also granted for asthma.

The Veteran's internal stomach problems and right knee condition are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, left foot disability, and anxiety disorder was granted. A 40 percent rating was assigned for the right knee disability, effective August 15, 2019. The claims of service connection for other conditions were remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded his claims for left knee disability, specifically left knee limitation of flexion and extension.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including knee disabilities, depression, arthritis, and fractures. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee chondromalacia patellae, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had its onset during his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, headache disorder, eczema, chronic dermatitis, abdominal pain-related disorder, lumbar spine disorder, lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral pes planus was denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions during or after his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right shoulder condition is dismissed as premature.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraines is dismissed as premature.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee condition is dismissed as premature.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder condition is dismissed as premature.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a tic disorder is dismissed as premature.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities, finding that these conditions are directly related to his active military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran was not granted a compensable rating for her hypertension, and the issue of service connection for a low back condition is remanded.,Service connection for a low back condition is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions provided in January 2019.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including strain and meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability has been granted.