Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the directives of the August 2023 Board remand and has therefore ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorders had their clinical onset during active service or are related to any incident of service, including physical demands and an in-service fall while carrying 109-mm howitzer rounds.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has maintained employment during the appeal period and his disabilities have allowed him to contribute positively through volunteer work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a status post orchiectomy, left congenital undescended testicle, with painful scar, was reopened and granted. The right testicular torsion was also granted. Service connection for a right knee disability and sciatica were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with arthritis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis prior to November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis from November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that new evidence received since the prior final denial supports these claims. The Board also found reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran regarding his onset of knee problems during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability at any point approximate to or after filing her October 2015 claim.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, shin splints (left and right legs), and lower back disabilities. The VA examinations obtained in December 2022 are inadequate and require further clarification.

The Board has determined that the appeal is remanded for several issues, including increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as earlier effective dates. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as instability in both knees. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disorder, but has remanded the claims of residuals of a rib injury and right knee sprain due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a fractured spine and right knee strain, including as secondary to left knee degenerative arthritis or lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability, or left knee disability. The claim for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and insufficient evidence linking any claimed disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions and the need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, insomnia, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), spinal stenosis, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder tenosynovitis, and left knee/tenosynovitis disabilities are rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for left knee strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on flexion or extension limitations.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee conditions. However, due to a duty to assist error, the claims are being remanded to obtain VA-authorized treatment records and to provide new medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the appeal. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition and a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active-duty service and have continued since.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee strain (chondromalacia and knee pain) is granted.,An increased initial disability rating of 20 percent for right knee instability is granted effective April 22, 2019.