Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are not related to active duty service or the service-connected hip degenerative arthritis and/or lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's PTSD also claimed as military sexual trauma was granted an initial 70% rating but denied a higher one.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is also referred to the AOJ for initial adjudication of a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep apnea as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and low back disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure and injuries are considered credible.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating of hypertension. The application to reopen claims for service connection of various ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar spine disorders was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance, thus denying his claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance by another person.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder, including whether it is related to in-service duties and if her service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated her obesity.

The Veteran's left knee strain is rated at 10 percent, and the right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is also rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.,PTSD was initially evaluated as 30 percent prior to July 30, 2020, but now rated at 70 percent effective from that date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability. The cases are remanded to allow for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a hysterectomy is denied as the evidence does not support a link to service.,Service connection is granted for IBS, presumed due to Persian Gulf Service. The Veteran served in Southwest Asia during her deployment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder with chronic sleep impairment is granted secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension, migraines, vertigo, left knee disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), right ankle disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), right foot disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), left foot disorders (including left ankle sprain and right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis), right leg varicose veins, and left wrist disorder are also granted secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The appellant withdrew their appeal for all issues, including gallbladder surgery, depression, and left knee strain and tendonitis.

The Board has determined that further development and action is needed to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, sleep apnea, back disability, and right ankle disability. The appeal will be remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his orthopedic conditions and diabetes mellitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to determine the severity of his right shoulder condition, nature and etiology of his headaches, forehead scar, back condition, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various shoulder, knee, leg, and hand conditions as there is no persuasive evidence of record that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's painful scars associated with the right knee disability are granted a 30% rating from January 2, 2020. The compensable evaluation for linear scars is denied.