Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease and meniscal tear residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection and ratings for her knee and headache disabilities. The specific issues are related to right carpal tunnel syndrome, tension headaches, right knee DJD with meniscal tear, left knee meniscus tear status post arthroscopy with DJD, and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and chronic kidney disease due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to his active-duty service, but the VA examiners did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements or treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current right knee and shoulder disorders are related to service, including his job duties as a jet mechanic.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo/dizziness and migraines, as well as an increased rating for his left knee disability, were denied. A separate 10 percent disability rating was granted for left knee instability starting from June 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in or relation to military service. The Veteran is directed to provide authorization for release of any relevant private medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back conditions due to a lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndromes are granted service connection. The Veteran's left and right shoulder rotator cuff conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right hip and knee disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a complete ACL tear and multiple meniscal tears, is rated at 30 percent for recurrent subluxation or instability throughout the appeal period. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for symptomatic semilunar cartilage dislocation from June 8, 2013. The Veteran's limitation of flexion is rated as more than a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip and knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present during active duty.,Service connection is established for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions as directly related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for GERD are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations, particularly given his incarceration status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 4, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter for a right knee disability based on limitation of flexion; a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability based on limitation of extension; a rating in excess of 20 percent for a right knee disability based on recurrent instability; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of semilunar removal, meniscectomy, of the right knee. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee anterior instability with degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia with recurrent patella dislocation and degenerative arthritis, and tendonitis/tendinosis of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the right and left knees due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records, verify duty status, and search VA facilities for relevant surgical reports.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear post arthroscopic surgery is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The right knee instability and painful motion prior to February 12, 2016 are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and denied separate compensable ratings for right knee limitation of extension. The claim for service connection for a back disability was also denied.,A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability was granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disorders and tinnitus due to missing service treatment records and private medical records. The claims for bilateral knee disorders, tinnitus, and any associated musculoskeletal conditions are being reviewed.