Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increase ratings for his left knee and shoulder conditions due to inadequate examinations in the May 2023 decision. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded, as are the claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right ankle. The Veteran's gastritis with GERD claim also requires further examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are causally linked to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder due to inadequate etiology opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's specific claims regarding his in-service injury will be considered.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscus injury, was rated based on the severity of his symptoms. The Board found that a higher rating for instability was not warranted but granted separate ratings for painful motion and meniscal condition. However, the TDIU claim for the period prior to April 1, 2019, is pending as it is part of the increased rating appeal.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, effective from the date of the June 2017 examination. The claims for service connection for headaches and knee disabilities have been reopened due to new evidence received since the February 2015 denial.,An effective date earlier than January 17, 2017, for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for a back disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a supplemental medical examination regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically addressing her reports of flare-ups and their impact on range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and right knee disability. The opinion provided by a private physician supports this conclusion.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting findings in a previous VA examination report, specifically regarding the range of motion for the Veteran's left knee.

The Board has vacated the July 20, 2022 decision that granted an effective date of August 10, 2010 for a TDIU because it did not consider the pre-August 10, 2010 time period. The case is remanded to determine if earlier effective dates are warranted.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted service connection, while other claims for various disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, increased ratings for left knee and ankle disabilities due to lack of an opinion on whether his right knee disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. Additional development including obtaining VA treatment records, private treatment records, and additional examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly in relation to his military service. The Veteran is required to undergo additional medical examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased disability rating for pes planus is dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues related to migraines, bilateral knee and ankle disorders, eczema, and a psychiatric disorder due to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertensive vascular disease, degenerative neck changes, and right knee locking/pain) did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period November 1, 2011 to June 19, 2012. However, his service-connected depression associated with degenerative neck changes prevented him from doing so after that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was incorrectly docketed and appealed under the wrong system. The Board has accepted the appeal as valid under the Legacy system, but the issue remains pending due to lack of an SOC.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, right knee patellar tendonitis, and left knee patellar tendonitis and plica irritation. The other conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of flexion or extension. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for limited extension, and a 20 percent rating was granted for instability.