Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and service connection for various conditions is remanded due to incomplete medical records, inadequate examination reports, and the need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current disability. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hydrocele is also denied due to lack of evidence of atrophy or removal of both testes.,Multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are remanded, including lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, groin strain, convergence insufficiency, restless leg syndrome, eczematosis, serborrheic dermatitis, TBI with associated migraine headaches and PTSD, right knee strain, and GERD. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected back disability and left femur fracture disability with left knee disability. The Veteran is expected to cooperate in this process.

The Board has been unable to locate a military medical separation examination in the claims file and is therefore remanding the appeal for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a separate rating of 10 percent for slight instability beginning on March 11, 2009. His right knee disability is granted a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion and a 10 percent rating for slight instability beginning on March 11, 2009. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating from March 11, 2009 to October 11, 2023.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for schizophrenia (now also claimed as manic depression, bi-polar instability, boredom, and inability to concentrate and follow instructions) is granted. Service connection for schizophrenia (now also claimed as manic depression, bi-polar instability, boredom, and inability to concentrate and follow instructions) is denied.

The Board has denied an initial compensable rating for right knee surgical scars and remanded the cases of right knee limitation of extension and recurrent subluxation due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the submission of new evidence, including VA treatment records and VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection requests for various disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain, bilateral knee instability and meniscal condition, and low back disability are all granted. The right ankle sprain is granted with service connection established. Increased ratings for the knees and a lower rating for the low back prior to August 17, 2022 are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and traumatic brain injury disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to her lumbar spine, fibromyalgia, bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy, hip and knee disabilities, and cervical spine conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, left knee, back, and neck as there is no evidence showing separate diagnoses or that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic right or left knee disability during his active duty service and concluding that it would take pure speculation to etiologically relate the current bilateral knee disability to wear and tear during service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her left knee disorder is denied. A separate 10 percent rating prior to December 27, 2019, and a 30 percent rating therefrom for right knee instability are granted. The appeal seeking a compensable rating for right knee instability is dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for instability has been granted.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for a right knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection of left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities is granted. The claim for service connection of left eye macular degeneration is also reopened. A rating of 100 percent for PTSD with MDD from August 1, 2001, is granted.