Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is denied for entitlement to increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his left knee disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to June 24, 2009 for the 10 percent rating evaluation of limitation of flexion was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for limitation of extension was also denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder), bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder) due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and failure to consider weight-bearing range of motion. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a new VA examination that assesses his right knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee limitation of motion, extension, and flexion due to a lack of range of motion studies in the record. The Veteran is required to provide new VA examinations to address these concerns.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50% evaluation since July 5, 2023. Prior to that date, the Veteran was granted a 50% evaluation.,Since November 1, 2021, the Veteran has been granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and addendum opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a painful joint disorder (likely rheumatoid arthritis), right hand disorders, back disorders, and right knee disorders. The Board finds that further development is needed in these areas.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an increased rating for the Veteran's back disability was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and consider whether he is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service, which could impact his claims for hairy cell leukemia and its secondary conditions. The VA will need to conduct further development in this regard.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and physical conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU effective August 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the claims and the appeals were not properly perfected.

The Board has determined that the criteria for an earlier effective date have not been met for PTSD, left knee condition, right knee condition, or left shoulder condition. The Veteran's conditions were already rated at their maximum levels under applicable disability codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The issues of TDIU and SMC based on regular aid and attendance are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate range of motion testing in the recent VA examination, and a new examination is required.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to procedural issues and is now remanding the claims for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to concerns about medication use and blood circulation issues that may have contributed to his amputations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines has been granted, and she is now receiving a 50% rating. She also received a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her migraine headaches since January 1, 2018. Additionally, she was awarded special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the diabetes mellitus, umbilical hernia, and right eyelid condition issues. The Veteran's migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric condition (including MDD and PTSD) have been granted.,Issues related to spastic duodenal bulb, asthma, bilateral hips, bilateral feet, hiatal hernia, bilateral knees, skin condition, left finger, bilateral elbows, bilateral hands, malaria symptoms, lazy esophageal sphincter, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, ischemic colitis, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), diverticulitis, low back, and neck conditions have been remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disorders. The claim for secondary service connection of a low back disorder related to his knee and foot disabilities is remanded.