Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right hip, left hip, and left knee disabilities as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, GERD, acquired mental health condition (excluding PTSD), and bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's hernia, left side, groin muscle disability, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, left ear injury, throat gland disability, and ear wart disability have not been established as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee, ankle, and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and muscle and joint pain.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his right knee, right ankle, and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hip disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to any compensable rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased rating for left knee lateral meniscus tear and TDIU has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of his National Guard and Reserve service records. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant personnel and medical records, including those from the Texas and New Jersey National Guards and Army Reserves.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence has been submitted that may support reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims are now pending before the Board.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating prior to May 23, 2022 for residuals of s/p total left knee replacement (previously rated as left knee chondromalacia with instability). The appeal is denied for a higher rating for painful flexion and extension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, and gastrointestinal condition due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2022 decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to missing records and unclear employment history during a specific period.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular percentage criteria for assignment of a TDIU prior to May 28, 2010. The effective date for DEA benefits is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, left and right knee arthritis, small bowel resection, abdominal scars, and abdominal surgical scar, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was withdrawn. The right knee retropatellar pain syndrome or bursitis and left knee strain were both denied, but a separate 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as moot because his Supplemental Claim was granted in full, and there are no remaining issues for appellate consideration.