Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for right ankle/foot and left ankle/foot conditions, but these are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ring finger with suture scar, bilateral upper extremity disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome, RUE radiculopathy, and tendinitis), and right knee disability as secondary to service-connected left knee disability. The claims are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, effective May 14, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of flexion or extension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further consideration of his left knee disability and TDIU claims, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding the nature and severity of his limitation of motion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted since the April 2020 Statement of the Case and has not been waived by the Veteran. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider this new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's right knee disability and skin condition are denied as there is no current diagnosis or history of these conditions.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, depression, joint disease of the left knee, and obstructive lung disease remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's neck disability and her service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The VA must obtain complete treatment records from her National Guard/Reserve service and provide an addendum opinion on the etiology of her neck disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appealed issues from the legacy appeal system, and they are now dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined with other claims.

The Veteran's iliotibial band syndrome, right knee, with instability is restored to a 10% rating. The claim for left lower extremity neuropathy and bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during her military service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability were denied. The rating for limitation of motion prior to June 30, 2023 was denied as the flexion and extension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261. From June 30, 2023, he received a separate disability rating for residuals of meniscal injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and traumatic brain injury have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claims for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee patellar femoral arthritis and right knee instability are granted service connection, with a separate rating for the right knee instability. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral pes planus, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis, right knee soft tissue tear damage with repair, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and middle finger conditions, as well as low back and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims are still pending and will be remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, left knee, right knee, respiratory, and psychiatric disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection based on exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War Syndrome.