Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for back, skin, and left knee conditions have been granted. The decision also remands the right knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right knee disability have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 13, 2010. The Board grants the TDIU benefit for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for PTSD, hypertension secondary to PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, low back condition, bilateral thumb condition, cervicothoracic spine condition, right upper extremity radiculopathy, headaches (claimed as cephalgia), and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection of a right knee strain, left knee disorder, and right hip disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, with the exception of the secondary service connection issues which require further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis and instability have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's claims were not granted as the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, an eye condition (to include vision problems), breathing problems, a left knee condition, a right knee condition, a right ankle condition, sleep apnea, and skin rash have been dismissed as the Veteran did not appeal these issues in his VA Form 9.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left knee limitation of flexion was denied as the evidence did not show that it resulted in flexion being functionally limited to 30 degrees or less, and extension remained full. The TDIU claim was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing inability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased evaluations for service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees. The issue of service connection for a skin condition (claimed as skin cancer) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for blindness, including light perception only, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection for asthma has also been denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition related to service or undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's bilateral knee instability is granted with separate ratings for right and left knees under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve disabilities are denied. The case is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.,The Veteran is also being remanded for a determination on his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The Veteran's hiatal hernia with reflux symptoms are rated at 30 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and low back disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,New evidence has reopened both claims, but further review is required as there are still unresolved issues regarding service connection.