Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus, left wrist disability, and right knee disability related to his service-connected ankle disability have been granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran is currently employed as a police officer, which means he cannot meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's disability ratings for his service-connected conditions were reduced, but the reductions are now reinstated. The reduction of the rating for status post left total knee replacement and degenerative joint disease of the right knee was not proper, and the original ratings are restored.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip disabilities, and degenerative disc disease to include degenerative arthritis of the lower back. The issues are related to whether these conditions had their onset during military service or are otherwise causally or etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted an initial 10 percent rating effective September 29, 2017.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and hypertension have all been granted with effective dates of September 29, 2017.,Service connection for a left knee disability has not been established.,Service connection for a right knee disability has not been established.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder) has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for left foot metatarsalgia, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient development.,Further investigation is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee strain, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking his current condition to active service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for fibrocystic breast disease, ovary abnormalities, brain cyst with hydrocephalus, headaches, eye disorder and/or blurry vision, dizziness, and painful scars secondary to fibrocystic breast disease due to potential RF radiation exposure during active duty. Additional evidence is needed, including genetic testing records and treatment records from the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for educational assistance at the maximum rate of 100% under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) was granted because she had a minimum of 30 continuous days of active service and was discharged due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's right ankle condition and associated scar due to lack of discussion on flare-ups.,A new VA examination is also required for her back, right wrist, right knee, and left-hand scar conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for systemic skin rashes and chronic, systemic joint pain to multiple joints as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease and tinea pedis.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome as these conditions are at least as likely as not having had their onset during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee arthritis, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service that links the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an in-person examination and medical opinion regarding her lumbar spine disability and left knee disability. The issues of a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition and service connection for the left knee disability are both being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to pending appeals in the AMA system that need to be resolved before adjudication can proceed.

Service connection is denied for hypertension, basal cell carcinoma, neck disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. Service connection is granted for tension headaches and lower lip numbness associated with the service-connected chin scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and left wrist conditions due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's testimony regarding his service experiences is considered.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the left knee is denied. Effective November 20, 2023, a separate 10 percent disability rating for instability of the left knee is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including ACL repair, instability, and dislocated semilunar cartilage, is rated at a 30 percent effective from February 27, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for an additional examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.