Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board. The effective date of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities is set at May 1, 2017. The rating for bilateral pes planus has been granted from May 1, 2017 to December 10, 2021 and since then remains denied. A separate rating evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted effective February 7, 2021. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right knee, low back condition, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the decision-making process and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee subluxation and limitation of flexion are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and a need to obtain additional medical records. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the VA definition of hearing loss or tinnitus.,For his left knee, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, the Board has found that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for the knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for a lower back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, head laceration (also claimed as head trauma), and headaches due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have been reopened, with the Board finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to particulate matter during his deployment in Iraq.,Service connection has also been granted for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis under the presumptive provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.320(a)(1).

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statements of reasons and bases, failure to provide a retrospective opinion addressing the nature and degree of the Veteran's right knee conditions, and failure to address whether a retrospective right knee examination was warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder disorder, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and knee disorders. The decision is based on insufficient evidence and the need for additional development such as obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left leg disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence showing such disorders were incurred in or related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective dates for the granted benefits are not earlier than February 21, 2018.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee gout and left knee gout, but has remanded the claims for right ankle gout, left ankle gout, right foot gout, and left foot gout. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral ankle and bilateral foot gout are related to his patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for right and left elbow disorders, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and plantar fasciitis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and missed VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, arthralgia of the upper left ankle joint, and a left knee disorder have been dismissed as they were not properly appealed to the Board.,These issues were previously denied in final rating decisions without appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from June 30, 2010. The SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) for the period beginning on December 16, 2015, but not earlier, is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities have been granted and/or increased ratings, with some issues denied. The most significant changes include a 10 percent rating for instability from August 29, 2017 through August 2, 2020; a 20 percent rating for cartilage impairment during the same period; and an initial 10 percent rating for painful (TKR) scars from August 3, 2020 to August 31, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for various scarring conditions and knee, hip, ankle, and leg disorders due to the absence of a current disability. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and consideration.