Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to outstanding private medical records and issues regarding competency of VA examiners. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the knees.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability, right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back pain.,All conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI, bilateral knees, left metatarsal avulsion residuals, left wrist condition, and migraines are being remanded for further evaluation due to the potential worsening of these conditions.,The Veteran's rib/sternum condition, left ankle condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, insomnia, and kidney condition (claimed as rhabdomyolysis) are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee patellofemoral syndrome, ankylosis and instability of the right knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), did not meet the minimum threshold requirements for schedular TDIU. However, she is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 3, 2013 to January 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for new VA examinations and medical opinions regarding her right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities due to inadequate development and lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. However, the right knee disability, left eye disability, back disability, TDIU claim, and left knee disability remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and hearing requests. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being returned to the RO for additional procedures.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to procedural issues, specifically regarding the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) for certain rating periods and the proper handling of the reduction in disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right hand and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee conditions has been denied. The highest rating of noncompensable is granted for limitation of extension, a 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of flexion, and no higher rating is granted for instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and right hip disability due to a lack of adequate rationale in previous VA opinions and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The Veteran's claim of higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities is being considered, but he is not entitled to any higher or separate ratings due to the combined disability rating limit.

The Board has granted separate ratings of at least 20 percent for left knee limitation of flexion, left knee instability, and a rating of 20 percent for left knee semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and crepitus throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's left knee, limitation of flexion, was found to be limited to 75 degrees at worst, even considering additional functional loss due to pain and weakness. As a result, the claim for a higher rating than 10 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease and entitlement to a compensable rating for right knee meniscus tear due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various joint and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as a cognitive disorder and headaches. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be already compensated by the service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be reviewed by the RO, and the claims for service connection are being remanded. The Veteran's appeals include issues related to lower back disability, left hip disability, headaches (including migraines), right knee disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, an eye disability, hepatitis C, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee strain. The evidence did not support a valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor.