Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected right and left knee, shin splints, and ankle strain residuals. The issues include rating adjustments and TDIU prior to July 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and scars, as well as a TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran will be afforded new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and unspecified anxiety disorder are granted service connection, while the Veteran's hernia, IBS, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's right knee flexion was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 16, 2009. The initial 10 percent rating for right knee extension from March 16, 2009 to December 5, 2023 is also granted. An increased rating higher than 20 percent for right knee extension after December 6, 2023 is denied. A separate initial 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased ratings for various knee disabilities and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and tinnitus. Additional evidence has been received since the April 2020 statement of the case. The Board is remanding these matters to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for addressing deficiencies in a June 2010 VA examination, including whether a new, retroactive VA medical opinion should be obtained. The Veteran's contact information is unclear, and the RO needs to confirm his current contact information and attempt to obtain the requested VA examination and retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The appeals for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as left eye cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various joint disabilities due to a new theory of entitlement raised by his representative, focusing on whether these conditions are related to his military duties as a heavy equipment operator.

The Veteran's right knee instability and meniscal tear, as well as his left knee meniscal tear post ACL reconstruction with a scar, are granted separate disability ratings. The effective date remains August 15, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as GERD and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of GERD and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for arthritis, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability.,Right knee instability warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination necessary to evaluate his increased rating claim, and thus remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been granted. The issue of rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chest injury service connection and increased rating for right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases are being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and hip conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate examination. The presumption of soundness applies, and further development is needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis is rated at 40 percent, effective April 11, 2022. The left knee chondromalacia and instability are each rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and failure to verify in-service stressors. The Veteran's right knee disorder, acquired psych disorder (PTSD), and sleep apnea are all under review.