Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from following a substantially gainful occupation starting August 2, 2016. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU beginning on this date.

The Veteran's left hip limitation of extension is rated at the highest schedular level (10%). The left internal saphenous neuropathy is rated as severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10% rating. The left knee disability remains at 60%, which is the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle conditions, low back pain, sciatic radicular pain, TBI, headaches, and PB, are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back condition, finding that all reasonable doubts should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted at a rating of 60 percent from January 1, 2017 to January 15, 2019. The TDIU claim on and after January 1, 2017, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's conditions will be examined and evaluated again.

The reduction in the schedular rating for left knee limited extension with degenerative arthritis from 20% to 10% was improper and has been restored.,The severance/discontinuance of a separate 10% rating for left thigh limitation of flexion with osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the left hip was improper and has been restored.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were reinstated effective October 8, 2015.

The Veteran's previous ratings for left knee instability and arthritis with limitation of extension were restored due to the improper reduction in rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for another medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in verifying his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports, incomplete medical records, and procedural issues.,VA will attempt to obtain additional medical records from private providers and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and she is now receiving a separate rating for right knee subluxation. The right knee tear posterior horn medial meniscus with associated meniscal cyst and strain are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for left knee strain and left superior and inferior pubic ramus fracture have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in December 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's representative did not receive a timely copy of the March 2020 Statement of the Case (SOC) concerning the earlier effective date claims for various conditions. The appeals are being remanded to issue a SOC on these issues.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is dismissed. The remaining issues, including increased rating for right ankle disability and service connection for left and right knee disabilities, are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach condition, sleep disorder, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and shin splints. The reasons given were that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied because he failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination without showing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim as it is inextricably intertwined with his knee disability claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a heat stroke, to include memory loss is denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for left knee numbness needs further development and remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and denied service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.