Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, right knee disability, and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, other than bipolar disorder) has been granted. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of tinnitus was denied as it was filed within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's request for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation (10%) is already assigned.,Service connection for arthritis, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.,An effective date prior to September 28, 2018, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied as the claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's hearing loss is considered a secondary condition due to his already service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from November 27, 2018. The Veteran's symptoms include 'locking' and pain in the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of previous VA examinations and the Veteran's reported increased symptomatology. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability required a one-year convalescence period following surgery, and the Board granted an extension of this rating from June 1, 2017 to February 7, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's lay statements and in-service reports of knee pain are considered, but further clarification is needed on the possible muscle tear and the presence of chondromalacia.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The issues of service connection for left and right hip condition and left and right knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, right knee disability, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), and epididymitis are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and need further examination.

From January 1, 2009, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,From February 6, 2008, to January 27, 2009, a 40% rating for thoracolumbar spine disability was granted.,After January 27, 2009, the Veteran's claim for higher ratings on his knee and ankle disabilities remained denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ring finger disability and right knee scar, finding that there is no basis for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and tension headaches due to new and material evidence received since the May 2012 rating decision.,However, the claims are remanded as there is insufficient information to determine whether the Veteran's preexisting bilateral knee arthralgia was aggravated by her period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and the nature and etiology of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remanded issues are being returned to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscus tear are rated at 30 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. A separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability is granted from March 27, 2016 to March 1, 2022, and a 30 percent rating is granted from March 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The original claims were denied as there was no diagnosed hearing loss or chronic left knee disability, respectively. New evidence now raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder and denied the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and other service connection claims that were remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral knee conditions have been reinstated, but his claims seeking increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability were denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5257 and 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5257 (for lateral instability) and 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5260 (for limitation of motion), were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a torn quadriceps muscle in the left thigh and degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left hip and knee, render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, back disability, and bilateral finger/thumb disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.