Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Specifically, an examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disorder and a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and back disabilities are being remanded due to procedural issues. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability is also being remanded as the medical opinions provided were deemed inadequate.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate VA medical opinions that failed to address lay evidence or other pertinent medical evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia, patella of the left knee with degenerative joint disease and left knee instability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The claims will be further developed to obtain additional information about the Veteran's in-service stressors, as well as treatment records and private medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition, secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine or right knee conditions is remanded due to inadequate examination and conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain was granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent effective October 12, 2017.,For the increased rating period from October 12, 2017, both right and left knee strains were granted a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, requiring further evidence and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD with major depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, left ankle disability, left hand disability, right elbow disability, and neck/upper back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee instability, finding that the Veteran's credible reports of her knee giving out and need to use a cane for balance are sufficient evidence to warrant this grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's left knee pain with patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to perform daily activities without assistance due to his multiple conditions.

An earlier effective date of October 31, 2019, is granted for the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was granted, with a rating of 40 percent. The claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, which are secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as all granted issues have an effective date of May 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disorders due to duty-to-assist errors.