Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings as they were not specific to individual issues in the rating decisions, and the combined evaluations have been corrected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, and a new examination is required to determine if he requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hearing loss, tinnitus, breathing condition, left knee and leg, right knee and leg, mental condition (depression, anxiety relationship concerns, nightmares), skin condition on legs, and swelling in feet have all been denied.,There is no indication of service connection being granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's rating reduction from 20% to non-compensable for left knee instability was proper. The initial evaluation in excess of 20% and 10% for left knee instability and degenerative arthritis, respectively, is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date, March 18, 2019, has already been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and headaches are being remanded due to the lack of sufficient information in the VA examinations regarding flare-ups, pain on passive motion, and prostrating attacks.

The Board has granted higher initial disability ratings of 20 percent for the service-connected left and right knee disabilities, effective from September 19, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, finding that there were no pending claims or appeals at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee disability and hemorrhoids, finding new and material evidence that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee DJD are rated based on limitation of motion. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of the assigned percentages.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The RO has maintained the current ratings of 10 percent for each knee disability, with no higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not resolved in his favor, necessitating further examination and review.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, including left and right total knee replacements. The Board has remanded these issues due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, and knee disorders are not service-connected. The GI disorder is presumed to be due to Camp Lejeune exposure.,Further examination is needed for the shoulders, low back, knees, and GI issues.

The Veteran's left knee extension was rated at 10 percent prior to September 30, 2021. After that date, the rating remained at 10 percent as there is no evidence of limitation of extension reaching 15 degrees.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet were granted service connection as they began during active service. However, his right knee condition was denied as it is not related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The Board will seek additional medical records, including from private providers and military facilities in Guam and Korea, and schedule VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee arthritis status post meniscal tear with muscle atrophy and a claim for total disability due to individual unemployability based upon service-connected disorders (TDIU) due to incomplete development of evidence in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to traumatic arthritis of the right knee and post-operative ligament injury of the right knee at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. New and material evidence was received to reopen claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability.