Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right leg shin splints are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective July 31, 2017.

The Veteran's left knee conditions were granted ratings from February 27, 2012, through November 8, 2015. He received a 30 percent rating for left knee instability and a 20 percent rating for meniscus symptoms during this period.,Since January 1, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a 60 percent rating for his left knee total arthroplasty with additional ratings for left ankle strain and left hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back disorder, depression, knee disorders, foot disorders, and ankle disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) by submitting a VA Form 10182 within 60 days of receiving a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are caused and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Board has granted the claim for service connection, but the effective date of the TDIU is remanded due to insufficient clinical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate development of evidence, including the need for retrospective opinions and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating of PTSD and TDIU were dismissed because they were not pending at the time of her death, as service connection for PTSD had already been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lumbar spine conditions due to inadequate medical opinions in previous remands.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient development of the record.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran's right knee, back, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and sleep apnea are all in question.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information regarding the extent of his back pain and limitations prior to September 15, 2020. The right knee disability is also being remanded for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and other conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's increased rating for limitation of flexion of the Right Knee disability is granted, while a compensable rating for limitation of extension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the last decision, and requests that she complete medical authorizations for private records. The Board also requires examinations to determine etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the etiology of the Veteran's generalized arthritis disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful right-hand scar from February 1, 2011, to his death in November 2021. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service or any in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss disability due to the absence of a current disability as defined by VA regulation. The remaining issues are being remanded for additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran's service connection for alcohol/substance abuse associated with PTSD is granted, and he receives a 70 percent rating for PTSD with substance/alcohol abuse. The evaluation for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis remains at 10 percent.