Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right wrist condition, left knee chondromalacia patella, and right knee chondromalacia patella are all rated at the maximum allowed under current criteria. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was also denied.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims as they are no longer pending.

The Board has restored the 10 percent disability rating for right and left knee lateral instability from October 30, 2018 to January 6, 2021 as there was no actual improvement in the condition that would warrant a reduction.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted service connection. The right hip, left knee, and right foot conditions have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion. The current VA examination did not provide sufficient rationale for its conclusion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60% from March 1, 2020 to September 23, 2020.,The reduction in the rating for a right hip limited extension disability was improper and void ab initio.,A compensable rating for a right hip limited flexion disability is denied.,A rating in excess of 20% for a right hip impairment disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition was denied in August 2015, and the Board found no new and relevant evidence to support reopening of this claim. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his combined disability rating meeting the schedular criteria. Service connection for neck, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions are all denied.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at the highest possible level of disability, 50 percent. The appeals for PFB and allergic rhinitis with residuals of a nose fracture have been dismissed as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. The right and left knee chondromalacia issues remain pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, lung disability, back disorder, right knee instability, and right knee limitation of flexion are all granted. The lung disability is rated at 10%.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disability), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depressive disorder. The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,Hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Board restored service connection for the seven claimed conditions, effective from July 1, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not noted at his induction examination and did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service. Therefore, service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's left and right knee strain are granted service connection. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher. Service connection for a bilateral foot condition is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating since February 11, 2010. The right hip and right knee disabilities are each granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the reduction in disability rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and the entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for right knee and low back disabilities were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection are set at August 1, 2013, for the right knee disability and August 26, 2013, for the low back disability.,For the right knee disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent was denied. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling based on painful limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbosacral disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and asthma due to unclear medical opinions regarding their etiology and potential aggravation by service. The claims are being returned for further development.