Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfilled its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal for a disability rating and TDIU claims related to his right knee replacement.

The Veteran's arthritis of the back, bilateral knees, and bilateral shoulders were not shown to be related to his service. The Board found that there was no evidence connecting the Veteran's arthritis to exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of extension and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the case to further develop the record regarding a separate rating for semilunar cartilage disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to difficulties in obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability evaluations and TDIU have been withdrawn. The claims are dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's painful surgical scars of the right ankle and left knee have been granted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities were also granted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left femur disability is remanded due to inadequate examination regarding knee and hip function, which could affect the rating assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was established based on direct service connection due to the Veteran's reported injuries during military service.

The Board has determined that additional relevant VA treatment records should be obtained and considered as part of the remand process. The Veteran is advised to provide any private or federal medical records in their possession.

The Veteran's right ear tympanosclerosis and left ear tympanosclerosis are both assigned noncompensable ratings, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6211.,The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent based on forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's death was not due to his service-connected conditions, and the cause of death (end stage renal disease) is not related to his service. The criteria for DIC benefits were not met.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various arthritis conditions due to insufficient reasoning in VA medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's character of discharge for the period from March 28, 1984 to April 3, 1989 is being remanded due to concerns about insanity at the time of misconduct.,The left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis claim is also being remanded as there are issues regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has denied service connection for generalized arthritis, gout, left knee disorder, and skin disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders, including osteoarthritis, were granted service connection as they are related to his military service.,His left elbow cubital tunnel syndrome was also granted service connection due to its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain retrospective opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities during flare-ups and on repeated use over time at specific VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete opinion evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.