Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and ratings related to various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip strain residuals with trochanteric pain syndrome, right shin splints, left shin splints, right knee strain residuals, and left knee strain residuals. The appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the right knee have been granted service connection, effective from February 1, 2012. The Veteran is currently rated at a 40 percent for right hip limitation of flexion under DC 5252.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee instability, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee residuals status post meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's gout is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The bilateral knee disability claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss and asymptomatic meniscal tear, as well as an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing symptoms or impairment outside those addressed by audiometric and speech discrimination testing results.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the previous VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed to assess his current right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought (service connection) has already been granted.,An increased rating of 20 percent for left knee strain with instability from August 17, 2021, is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee strain with limitation of flexion has been denied.

The Veteran's right knee incomplete ligament tear and strain with degenerative arthritis post ACL reconstruction are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee strain and lumbosacral strain are also rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection for left knee strain. The Veteran's claim is being returned to obtain further clarification on whether his condition is related to active service or aggravated by his service-connected left foot achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent. Other service connection claims were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension was not related to his service, as it first manifested many years after separation from active duty.,Right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus were not diagnosed or treated during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 11, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome - lumbar spine associated with left knee strain has been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected. The claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and left knee sprain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating adequately accounts for the Veteran's symptoms, including pain and difficulty with impact activities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, foot disability (drop foot), hand disability (numbness in the hand), neck disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims of eye disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for left knee strain with shin splint was dismissed because the request for higher-level review had not been completed and a final adjudication had not been issued.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no greater. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to joint pain of the low back strain, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and left ankle strain is granted a 50 percent initial rating, but no greater.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, frostbite of the left foot and toes, insomnia (claimed as sleep disorder), laceration of chin with resulting scar, left degenerative hip, right degenerative hip, chronic left knee disability, chronic right knee disability, and low back pain. The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and service.