Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis and right hand traumatic arthritis, finding that his flexion was limited to at worst 45 degrees with repeated use or during flare-ups, which does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period between February 21, 2013, to May 15, 2014.,TDIU was denied for the period from May 16, 2014, to August 31, 2020. The Veteran's combined rating at this time did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right foot condition (hallux valgus), left foot condition (hallux valgus), left knee condition/joint arthritis, and right knee condition/joint arthritis. The Veteran's conditions are found to be directly related to her active military service.

The appeal of the issues related to right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, GERD, and residuals of head injury (including TBI and headaches) has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings and service connection in multiple cases, including left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, right pectoralis major condition, avulsion fracture of the distal triquetrum, left hearing loss, TDIU rating, right hearing loss, vision/eye condition, right knee condition, and left shoulder condition. The Board has dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, bilateral knee and bilateral ankle disorders due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability are remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2023 VA examination and incomplete review of records, as well as the need to associate private treatment records with the claims file.

The Board has identified additional evidence that was not considered in the previous decision and has requested a waiver for its consideration. The claims are being remanded to allow for readjudication of these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to asbestos exposure, hearing loss disabilities, and a right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The cervical spine and wrist nerve disabilities remain under consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, right acromioclavicular disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, TDIU, and DEA.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for psychiatric disorders, lower back disabilities, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran withdrew these issues from appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, back, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hearing loss and bilateral knee disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and hemorrhoids due to inadequate medical opinions. The cases are now pending with VA for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to insufficient reasons or bases in the previous decision. The VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to procedural errors in recognizing the Veteran's VA Forms 10182 and placing his appeal on the AMA Hearing Docket. The Veteran's appeal is now under the legacy system, and he must file a timely VA Form 9 or VA 10182 to continue his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for appellate review and must be remanded due to outstanding service records and need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis and instability due to new evidence and development needs. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.