Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) is being remanded due to the need for a new aid and attendance examination. The AOJ will consider all service-connected disabilities in determining if they render the Veteran helpless, requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or any other compensable basis.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been rated at 10 percent from January 14, 2013, to October 21, 2020, and at 30 percent since October 21, 2020. The appeal is denied as the disability rating does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including congenital right bipartite patella, patella femoral pain syndrome, and degenerative changes, is granted as service connection due to aggravation beyond its natural progression by in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if his current right knee disorder and prostate disorder are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to May 18, 2023 due to insufficient consideration of the effects of hydrocodone use on his right knee disability. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the pending increased rating claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spondylosis, and a left ankle disability due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status, as he does not require personal assistance from others and is not substantially confined to his dwelling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is presumed to have had pre-existing conditions prior to service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and thyroid nodules are all being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the right ankle disability is being examined to determine if nerve damage exists and its relationship to other service-connected disabilities. The thyroid nodules need a medical opinion on whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's depression is granted a 70% evaluation. The right knee and right foot disability issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service knee pain and injuries.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has not been received to readjudicate the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back, right knee, left knee, and left knee instability disorders are REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and back pain, resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board found that SMC aid and attendance is granted based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip condition is not service-connected due to lack of a causal link, and an additional opinion is needed to address whether any aggravation by his service-connected conditions exists.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, onychomycosis (right foot), onychomycosis (left foot), and right knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, radiculopathy, knee and foot disabilities, and hearing loss/tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 29, 2022. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as mild-to-moderate tricompartmental degenerative changes in the left knee, is granted. The Board also remanded for VA TERA examinations to determine if her respiratory issues and other disabilities are related to her exposure to asbestos and PFOA/PFOS during service.