Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for left knee degenerative joint disease and a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability. The Veteran's tarsal tunnel syndrome of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, while his right lower extremity condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a TDIU due to insufficient information on the Veteran's employability and service-connected disorders. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated employment information, schedule the Veteran for a new examination by an appropriate clinician regarding his ability to work, and re-adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a separate rating of 20 percent for a meniscus condition, while his left and right knees were denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD was granted, and separate ratings were granted for the right knee disability with painful motion and degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's left knee condition was granted a compensable rating from June 27, 2014 to April 20, 2023 for limitation of extension.,The Veteran's right knee condition was granted a compensable rating from June 27, 2014 to May 4, 2023 for limitation of extension. After that date, the Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as not related to service. From May 13, 2010, to August 20, 2023, the Veteran's left pulmonary infiltrate was rated at 0 percent; since then, it has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development, specifically an addendum medical opinion regarding range of motion measurements in degrees during passive motion and while weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing. The Veteran's right knee strain condition is at issue.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete directives in prior remands. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and instability are currently rated at 10 percent each, but do not meet criteria for higher ratings based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. The matter is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension from November 29, 2021 to November 8, 2022. The rating remains denied for limitation of flexion and instability.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, neck disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis are all denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for various knee and hip conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability. The claims for chronic left knee pain, chronic right knee pain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and hypertension are remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence addressing their etiology.

The Board has determined that the claim of service connection for left knee disability should be remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the condition, as well as whether it is related to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for his right knee disability from 40% to 10% effective October 1, 2019 was proper based on improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating of back condition and service connection for left knee and cervical spine conditions due to inadequate examinations in September 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, right foot, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete duty-to-assist errors in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right lower extremity disorders, including shin splints with knee pain, as well as a low back disorder. The remand is due to errors in providing notice of the Veteran's right to a hearing prior to VA issuing a decision on his appeal and failing to consider recent medical evidence.