Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD, left knee instability, and left knee osteoarthritis with status postmeniscus tear as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of a diagnosed disability in each claim. The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy are already established, but other claimed disabilities may be related to the same incident.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee ACL tear with patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee instability associated with left knee ACL tear with patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inconsistencies in the VA examinations and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, as these conditions are being evaluated to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected left ankle or right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left hip disorder and right knee and hip disabilities. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are service-connected or warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for left shoulder bursitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee ACL laxity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,A new examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of updated VA treatment records and an outdated VA examination, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for generalized arthritis disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hyperhidrosis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee strain are all granted service connection. The conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and military personnel records, which are necessary for a proper determination of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any private providers he has seen and VA will obtain their records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination in accordance with the Board's previous remand directive.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board also grants an initial rating of 10 percent for right hip strain with limitation of extension, but denies increased ratings for flexion and abduction/rotation issues. The Veteran's claims for knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety, depression, and PTSD are related to service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and associate any outstanding VA treatment records, schedule a VA examination, and ensure compliance with the Board's instructions.

The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that the current rating may not reflect the severity of his condition, and thus remands for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include her lower back condition, left knee meniscus tear, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression; a back disorder; a neck disorder; and a left knee disorder. The claims are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need to contact witnesses of the alleged in-service assault.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee residuals, status post total right knee arthroplasty, effective from March 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current conditions.