Knee decisions — 2024

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and essential tremors.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability from May 1, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating for either condition.,Service connection for various secondary disabilities (right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, left hip, and foot pain) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee meniscal tear was denied as the flexion limitation did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions not preventing him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her left sacrum and sacroiliac injury, as well as service connection for her knee disorders, were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to concerns about the competence of the VA examiners who conducted the examinations. The Veteran and his representative need to be provided with information regarding these examiners' qualifications.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and plantar fasciitis conditions are granted service connection, while the ratings for shin splints remain at 10 percent.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right ankle strain and arthritis of the right ankle. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability and lumbar spine disability, both secondary to the right ankle disability, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee pain and meniscus disability have been granted ratings, but the recurrent subluxation remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 10 percent, effective March 22, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for dislocation of semilunar cartilage was granted as of that date.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful motion and instability, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of flexion or instability.,The Veteran is currently assigned a 10 percent rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 20 percent for limited flexion, left knee internal derangement prior to February 27, 2020 is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition from that date is denied. A separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability is also granted. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD or other psychiatric disability remains pending and needs to be further developed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his back pain, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hip conditions. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for left knee scars, but the claims for increased ratings of other service-connected left knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee has not had flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor extension limited to 10 degrees or more at any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran's left knee has not had extension limited to 30 degrees or more, nor flexion limited to 45 degrees or less at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete STRs and other missing records. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, but his claim remains pending on all other issues.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for instability of the right and left knees, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left knee disability post total knee arthroplasty, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disabilities and service-connected conditions.

The Board has found that further development is needed, including consideration of new evidence and issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The claims for service connection for various disabilities are being remanded to allow for this additional review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), angina pectoris, diabetes mellitus, type II, and CAD. The reasons include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his right shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, elbow, headaches, neck, chest pains, and dental issues. The VA will provide these examinations and obtain the necessary opinions.