Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and cervical degenerative disc disease are granted as service-connected.,Hyperlipidemia is granted as secondary to major depressive disorder. Lipomas of the chest and right middle back, and interstitial lung disease (claimed as asbestosis) are denied.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to the claims of service connection for diabetes, heart condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), left knee condition, and right knee condition. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative arthritis is causally related to a knee injury sustained during active service, and therefore grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain, finding that her current disability is related to her in-service complaints and treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, reactive airway disease, and various musculoskeletal conditions, combine to a 70 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.,Both conditions were found to have onset during or shortly after service, with no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The other issues on appeal have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the July 2019 VA examination report, and the Veteran's left knee disability is being evaluated again.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polycythemia vera, adjudicated as 'adult leukemia,' is granted. The claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) and a left knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders due to their grant during the pendency of the appeal. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied higher ratings for various conditions, including left knee degenerative arthritis and right shoulder arthralgia/arthritis. The issues of entitlement to a separate rating for the left knee meniscus condition and an initial compensable rating for the left knee scar have been addressed. The case is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's recurrent nosebleed is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating as there was no indication of a complete loss of smell.,The Veteran's right hand second finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating due to normal range of motion with no evidence of ankylosis or loss of use.

The Board denied the appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2022 rating decision, as the claims were not appealable initial decisions and did not involve new evidence or a change in circumstances.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear. The decision finds that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, vision impairment, tinnitus, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's ED is caused by medications taken to treat his service-connected lumbosacral strain disability. The Board grants service connection for ED on a secondary basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and a neck disability. The remaining issues of service connection for right ankle, left ankle, left knee, right knee, rib, left leg varicose veins, and right leg varicose veins are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal due to a request from their attorney, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, left knee and ankle injuries, tinnitus, right knee strain, and other conditions, are sufficient to produce unemployability. The Board granted the TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, review of outstanding records, and application of the combat presumption.