Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine (lower back pain), and LLE radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records. The appellant will need a new examination to assess his current disability levels and determine if his conditions are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are restored to a 10 percent rating effective October 3, 2018. The Veteran is granted an initial 20 percent rating for erectile dysfunction and separate 10 percent ratings for limitation of flexion, extension, instability, and recurrent joint locking of the right knee. No other claims were resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle condition, right hand disorder, and right knee disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently denied.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The appeals remain in controversy as the AOJ did not grant the maximum available benefits.

The Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for disabilities of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine are dismissed.,An effective date earlier than December 1, 2017, for the award of service connection for residuals of a stroke is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for any time period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various foot, hip, knee, and shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant Service Treatment Records, VA treatment records, and other pertinent documents.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted a 30 percent rating prior to June 16, 2023. The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, left knee disability, seizures, TIA, heart disability, bilateral lower leg neurological disability, and shaky leg syndrome. The issues include determining the severity of these conditions, whether they are related to service or other disabilities, and if they are aggravated by other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury during his period of active duty or ACDUTRA. The current diagnoses were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities did not have onset in service or until many years thereafter and are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board's decision denying service connection for left and right knee disabilities is vacated, and the cases are remanded for further review under the AMA system.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a ruptured ACL of the right knee and torn meniscus of the right knee, as well as his claim for a temporary total rating (TTR) for convalescence due to surgery. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to active service or service-connected right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The case is returned for further development.

The appeals seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, increased ratings for right knee limited flexion and pain, right knee instability, left knee limited flexion and pain, and left knee instability have been dismissed. The appeal seeking to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a left ankle condition (claimed as secondary to service-connected right ankle disability), cervical arthritis, chronic anxiety disorder, and left wrist condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical examinations and a need for new evaluations. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about her Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his left knee disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability to include as secondary to service-connected left knee strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and residuals of right knee arthrotomy with a scar due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of relevant evidence. The case must be returned for further development.