Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lung cancer, right knee strain, and left knee strain are not service-connected. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left hip and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities. The TDIU claim for the period prior to June 16, 2014 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings in several service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted, effective February 10, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran's lumbar disorder is service connected and assigned an effective date of February 10, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disability, gout, acid reflux (GERD), and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and insomnia) as well as hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee traumatic arthritis and entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 27, 2018 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and documentation of income.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities due to a lack of compliance with previous remand requests.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease, left knee disability (limitation of extension), and right knee disability status post replacement are all remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the Veteran is seeking SMC based on need for aid and attendance or loss of use of extremities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and effective dates related to his knee conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee strain, and degenerative arthritis. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) is also granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically limitation of flexion and extension, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence showing that his flexion was limited to 30 degrees or less or his extension was limited to 15 degrees or more during any part of the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for OSA, increased rating for lumbosacral strain, initial ratings for RLE sciatic radiculopathy (prior to October 12, 2018) and LLE sciatic radiculopathy (post October 12, 2018), TDIU based solely on an acquired psychiatric disorder, SMC at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility to DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, which may be related to service or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for instability since March 10, 2023. The claim for a higher rating for limitation of flexion and extension prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right hip and/or left knee disabilities.,From July 1, 2020, the Veteran's left knee disability (status-post total replacement) is rated at 30 percent. From July 21, 2017 to May 12, 2019, he was granted a 20 percent rating for limitation of flexion and another 20 percent rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The Veteran asserts his conditions are related to incidents during service, including a fall from a tank while removing a canvas cover.