Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right patella with chronic laxity of the MCL and DJD of the right knee have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.,There is no indication of moderate instability, which would allow for a higher rating under the old diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed without prejudice due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective July 1, 2017. His left knee limitation of flexion is also rated at 20 percent from the same date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 14, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's statements regarding injuries to his bilateral hands and right knee during active duty training are credible. However, further examination is needed to determine if there is a nearly 50 percent probability or greater that current diagnoses of bilateral hand degenerative arthritis and right knee status post partial knee replacement are etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and the need for updated VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active duty service, including a right knee injury during INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including as secondary to service-connected psychiatric disability. The case is returned to the RO for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for sleep apnea, arthritis of the hands and knees, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and bulging discs due to a lack of VA medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease. The decision also reopened the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's urination problems are not secondary to his thoracolumbar spine disability. The Board denied higher ratings for the thoracolumbar spine and right knee disabilities, as well as a separate rating for right knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are not granted as there is no evidence that the conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disorder and instability prior to April 16, 2018 due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case is now back with the Board for further development.

The Board has determined that the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) failed to substantially comply with prior remand directives and has ordered another examination for the Veteran's cervical neck disability, right knee, and right hip disabilities. The appeal is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for his right and left knee conditions. The Board finds that a VA examination should be scheduled to address these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for disfigured left middle finger was denied as the current range of motion remains within the description for a 10 percent disability. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for the right shoulder disability or a rating higher than 10 percent for either the right ankle or right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted in November 2019, and the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and new evidence received during the appeal period. The Veteran's combat service is considered, but further examination is needed to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder (mild quadriceps and prefemoral fat pad impingement) as it began during active service.