Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if his OSA is related to service-connected disabilities or toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The decision granted the Veteran a TDIU effective June 10, 2016, due to his left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability. The right knee and ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral arm burns and hypertension. The claims of service connection for actinic keratosis (claimed as cellulitis) and right knee disorder are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, knee, and hip conditions as secondary to a service-connected right heel injury. The Veteran's treating physician suggested that his current right ankle, knee, and hip conditions may be aggravated by his service-connected right heel injury.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by meniscal and ACL tear with osteoarthritis, is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for painful extension. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diabetes, and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection. The right knee and left knee disabilities remain pending for further review.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of GERD, lumbosacral strain, right, knee strain, and tinnitus are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating prior to September 8, 2018, for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is also denied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted a rating of 60 percent for accrued benefits purposes, with daily fatigue, malaise, anorexia, and significant weight loss. The other conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition. The gastrointestinal disorders claim (abdominal pain and gastritis) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve conditions, bilateral foot conditions, and bilateral knee conditions. The issues of service connection for a sinus condition and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee condition is related to his service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition, and entitlement to an evaluation greater than 10 percent for a left knee condition. The Veteran's right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for an adequate opinion on its etiology, while the left knee condition requires an additional examination to assess current severity and manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, as well as his depression. The decision is based on evidence showing a current disability that is related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's disability did not begin in service or was otherwise related to his active duty.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee condition, left knee condition, chronic respiratory condition, psoriasis (claimed as skin disorder), and left upper chest scar/pain. The Veteran submitted new evidence but it was not considered because it consisted of previously uploaded service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The Veteran now receives a rating of 10 percent for right knee instability, 20 percent for PTSD, 30 percent for restless leg syndrome, and 30 percent for GERD from the dates specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection and evaluation of various conditions, including liver dysfunction, right hip condition, bilateral lower extremities, first degree AV block, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis, status post right ankle fibula fracture, migraine headaches, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee osteoarthritis, and hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for a right knee disability, as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether the right knee disability was caused or aggravated by the right ankle disability.