Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 1, 2015, as his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the appeals for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to participate in requested VA examinations. The claims of service connection for atypical mycobacteria, left knee disorder, and hypothyroidism are denied as there is no current disability found.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several service-connected disabilities was denied. The right thumb disability, right shoulder strain, and right knee meniscectomy were all rated at 10 percent. A higher rating for the right knee instability was not granted, but an earlier effective date of August 11, 2021, was granted for the right knee meniscectomy.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The Veteran's impaired anal sphincter control associated with hemorrhoids is also rated as noncompensable.,For OSA and knee disorders, remand is required to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service or caused by obesity resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient compliance with previous remand orders. The Veteran's lay statements regarding her in-service assault are considered, but a new VA medical opinion is required to address whether her current disabilities are related to that event.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 9, 2007 to September 8, 2008 due to his service-connected migraines, degenerative disc disease, and left knee disability.,The Veteran was also granted a TDIU from January 1, 2013 to the present. The decision is based on his service-connected migraines, degenerative disc disease, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, rated at 30 percent prior to December 11, 2012, is now rated at 60 percent effective from that date.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic headaches / migraines are found to have begun during service and persist since separation. Service connection is granted for this condition. The thoracic, lumbar, and/or sacral spine conditions, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted as service connected.,Secondary service connection is granted for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee conditions due to lumbosacral spine condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his right knee conditions and surgical scars, finding that he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective April 9, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue of a higher rating for further examination.,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating effective September 22, 2022. The issue of an extraschedular TDIU prior to September 22, 2022 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee, shoulder, wrist, and hip disabilities. The issues of increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disorders, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's lay statements of falls and demanding duties in service are considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding an examination and retrospective medical opinion for right knee instability.

The Veteran's left knee condition, post-total left knee replacement, is rated at a maximum of 60 percent effective May 16, 2013. The issues regarding flexion and extension are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle sprain with residual pain is remanded, as well as the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC based on housebound status from August 19, 2019 due to his service-connected anxiety with depression associated with degenerative disc disease.