Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and active service.,The Board also denied service connection for insomnia, concluding that there was no causal relationship to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative disease and lower back degenerative arthritis with neural foraminal narrowing, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or any other service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, insomnia, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability. The conditions are all related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the left knee disability is secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for clarification of the Veteran's current diagnosis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition and left leg condition are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for addendum opinions on the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus, right knee disability, and left knee disability for further development. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection due to in-service onset with continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a headache disability, and sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and lack of a statement of reasons and bases for the decision. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for his right knee disability based on limitation of motion is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee patellar chondromalacia, bilateral foot disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete records.,Pending further clarification from medical experts, these claims will be returned to the RO for consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities were evaluated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability with radiculopathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected right knee strain with arthritis, residuals of right knee meniscal tear. The decision also remanded issues regarding left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for knee disabilities and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that they do not warrant higher ratings.,For both knees, the evidence shows painful motion with no compensable limitation of motion. The VA examiner did not find any additional factors contributing to disability such as weakness, fatigability, or incoordination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of motion, is rated at a maximum 20 percent since September 4, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their respective limitations of motion, instability, and symptoms such as locking and effusion. The ratings are combined to reach a total of 60 percent for each knee.,A 20 percent rating is granted for limitation of flexion in both knees, with separate 30 percent ratings for instability and additional symptoms like locking and effusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine, retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, and lower left extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination reports. The issues are now returned to the Board for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Veteran failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination, which was necessary to determine whether he is entitled to service connection.