Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his continuous symptoms since service are related to active duty service. The decision is based on credible lay statements and medical evidence supporting the Veteran's reports of bilateral knee pain during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and right knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of right foot fracture has been reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine disability, including DDD, has been reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial. The Board finds that the Veteran's condition is related to service.

The Veteran's PFB was rated noncompensable prior to December 7, 2018. From December 7, 2018, the condition warranted a 50 percent rating based on characteristic lesions affecting more than 5% of exposed and total body area.,Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding toxic exposure, PTSD, and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and ankle conditions as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain disability.,An earlier effective date prior to May 31, 2011 for the grant of service connection for psychiatric disability is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, right and left shoulders, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's bilateral shin splints claim is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for joint pains, including ankle, foot, knee, and shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.,Service connection is also denied for IBS.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings for his bilateral knee and back disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional retrospective medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for complications of pregnancy, right knee disability, bilateral visual disability, hypertension, varicose veins, and fibroid tumors. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran in her hearing testimony.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions. The issues include left knee condition, right knee condition, frostbite residuals of the feet, and bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's left knee strain with internal derangement and right knee strain with internal derangement are granted a rating of 10 percent each, effective June 8, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy is granted a rating of 10 percent each for the left and right lower extremities, effective prior to April 26, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of acid reflux, hypertension, and heart disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, service connection for various knee and spine disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated medical records from private providers and to provide VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service MOS as a forward observer.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for remanding the claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. Additional examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of asthma, heart murmur with calcified aortic valve, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The effective dates for these awards are not earlier than September 16, 2016.

The claim for left leg scar(s) is reopened and service connection is granted. The claim for a left knee condition is granted.,The claim for periodontal disease remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied. The appeal is based on the current 10% rating assigned for flexion of the left knee, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there is no evidence of more than limited motion.