Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis with painful flexion and limited extension, as well as his right knee instability, was partially granted. The Veteran received an increased 30 percent rating for the condition from January 25, 2023, but his claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for painful flexion and prior to that date were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination results and requests for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including tendonitis/tendonosis post reconstruction of the left knee and instability, was granted a 10 percent rating from May 10, 2016 to August 8, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for meniscal dislocation with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint is also granted. The Veteran's left knee surgical scar received a non-compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to verify the appellant's reported stressors related to his PTSD and to obtain his complete service treatment records. The claims for right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities are also remanded as VA examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not adequately addressing the Veteran's reports of left knee instability. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's disability can produce instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella is denied as the evidence does not show that his disability warrants a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and he is now entitled to benefits for various conditions.,Issues related to the rating of disabilities are also addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of current left ear hearing loss or a causal relationship between right ear hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a low back disability, a right knee disability, and sleep apnea as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities with pain and arthritis due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete records and missed examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient causation and aggravation opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, which is currently service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle and right wrist disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee extension disability was granted service connection with a rating of 40 percent effective November 12, 2015. The AOJ later found that the earlier effective date should be July 13, 2015 and restored the original 40 percent rating. An earlier effective date of July 31, 2014 was granted for the right knee extension disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left knee disability due to missing records, including Workers' Compensation records and service treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide these records or have them obtained by VA.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was dismissed due to withdrawal. The case is remanded for further review of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including insomnia and anxiety.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing that his lumbosacral spine disability and bilateral knee disability were aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for right knee replacement, left hip replacement, and degenerative arthritis of the spine have been reopened. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limited range of motion or other criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed. The Veteran's multiple joint pain in hips, knees, and shoulders may be related to service-connected conditions or an undiagnosed illness.