Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal of the petition to reopen previously denied claims for service connection and entitlement to an effective date prior to May 21, 2018, for award of increase rating to 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to November 1, 2023, for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 1, 2023.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for diverticulosis with colon polyps. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, right knee disability, kidney condition, and respiratory condition (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis) were all reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for the respiratory condition under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's colonic polyps are granted service connection, with a current disability rating of at least 10% under DC 7319.,Service connection for the undiagnosed illness characterized by pain of shoulders, knees, fingers, and toes is granted from August 10, 2022. The claim prior to this date was denied due to lack of manifestation to a degree of 10% or more.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, but the appeal remains pending as it is remanded for additional development. The claims for service connection for a headache disability, cervical radiculopathy (right and left upper extremities), and a left knee disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right hip condition, are all found to be related to their respective periods of active service.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and total disability due to service-connected disabilities, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus disability was granted a separate 20 percent evaluation effective July 3, 2019. The other issues were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, jaw, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for hypertension was denied. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a link between current hypertension and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support an in-service injury or disease related to her current condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hand knuckle injury, right knee disability, increased rating for right wrist disability, and total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

Service connection for headaches, other than under the provisions of the PACT Act, is granted. Service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.

Service connection for asthma is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and left hand disorders are reopened but the Board finds insufficient evidence to grant these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's limitation of flexion in both knees did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 21, 2021, but since then, he has had limited flexion.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records, particularly private primary care records from 2015 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional verification of his identity and periods of active service is needed before the issues can be addressed on their merits.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted. Previously denied claims for left and right knee disabilities, as well as sinusitis, are reopened. Other rating issues remain pending.