Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various knee, shoulder, elbow, and back disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection of right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, low back, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right hip disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the hip and left knee disabilities and service-connected conditions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions from appropriate clinicians.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran's abnormal gait is noted in both medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection for low back muscle strain, left knee condition, and right wrist condition. The claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee disability with limitation of extension is not rated higher than the currently assigned 20 percent prior to January 7, 2021 and noncompensable since that date.,The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability with limitation of extension is not rated higher than the currently assigned 10 percent.,The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.,The Veteran's low back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent effective March 10, 2022, with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was initially denied in January 2015. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU from March 1, 2012 to June 19, 2013 and from August 1, 2014 to June 15, 2015. However, the claim was remanded for further review as it was unclear whether the Veteran's TDIU request is based on schedular or extraschedular criteria.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's right knee disability prior to September 2, 2015, as his range of motion was considered 'adequate' and 'functional'. The evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscal tear, is rated at 10 percent effective June 15, 2023. A separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's left hip disability is denied. The right knee disability, instability, and total knee replacement are granted with specific ratings and effective dates. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, specifically requesting an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's headaches. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a painful right knee surgical scar and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of sinusitis. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability and remands for further examination.

The Board has denied a higher rating for lumbar spine spondylosis and remanded the right knee issue due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle sprain is secondary or aggravated by his service-connected conditions. Additionally, the codesheet needs to be corrected to reflect the right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including left knee condition, PTSD, neck condition, TBI, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is instructed to consider the new evidence added since the March 2020 SOC.