Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on medical opinions that link GERD to the use of NSAIDs due to his left knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and the restoration of a 20% disability rating for right knee disability. The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were all denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee PFS with limitation of flexion and extension, and left knee PFS with limitation of flexion and extension are all rated as they currently stand.,An initial rating higher than the current ratings for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral shin splints, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are all granted as service-connected.,There is no specific rating assigned or effective date provided in the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorder due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to obtain an etiology opinion regarding his claimed disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, as well as his lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease (IVDS), require further examination and development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claim for a skin condition. The claims for lumbar spine, left knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and right shoulder strain with sternal clavicular malunion. Service connection for right knee strain is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) effective from May 28, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot and knee conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. He is also rendered helpless by his disabilities requiring regular in-home assistance.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining complete medical records and a PACT Act opinion is required.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis due to a lack of a VA examination and medical opinion. The Veteran's representative requested additional information about the VA examiner, but this does not affect the duty to assist at the Board level.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity in the Veteran's initial Notice of Disagreement (NOD) and subsequent clarification, requiring the AOJ to issue an SOC.

The Veteran's neck condition, urinary incontinence, right knee condition, and GERD have all been granted service connection.,A rating for the lumbar spine disability has not been granted.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial disability rating for left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and clarification of the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups, passive motion, and with repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, a hernia, and scars due to inadequate etiology opinions in previous decisions. The claims need to be remanded for new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions and remanded them for further action.

The Veteran's left knee limitation of extension is granted at a 40% evaluation, effective from June 28, 2022. The Veteran's left knee instability remains at a 20% evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders due to a failure of the RO to obtain etiological VA examinations. The Veteran's statements at least meet the low bar required to trigger the provision of VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability, instability, and limitation of flexion have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.