Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, knee, and foot disorders due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal was improperly docketed under the AMA system and remands the case for issuance of a statement of the case addressing service connection for lumbar spine disability and right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee sprain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and bilateral foot disabilities, finding that his current right knee disability was aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified mood disorder and other trauma or stressor related disorder is directly related to her period of active duty.,There is no evidence of a head injury in service, nor any current residuals thereof. The claim for residuals of a head injury is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are due to repeated impact from multiple parachute jumps during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hand finger disorders, right pinky disorder, right and left knee disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The claim for CTS has been denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including from patellofemoral syndrome to osteoarthritis and subsequent surgeries, warrants a rating of 60 percent since March 29, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder, has been granted. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for left wrist tenosynovitis and whether new evidence supports reopening claims for right knee and left knee disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee strain due to insufficient evidence in the September 2016 VA examination report. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated again.

The Veteran's claims for Brugada syndrome, bilateral hand arthritis, allergies/sinus issues, HTN, and skin condition have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection has been granted for left knee strain with DJD and right knee strain with DJD.,Other service connection claims remain pending: Brugada syndrome, bilateral hand arthritis, allergies/sinus issues, HTN, and skin condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for musculoskeletal disabilities, including bilateral hips, knees and left wrist conditions. The VA medical opinions obtained following the July 2022 Board remand are inadequate and require further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 11, 2010.

The claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering all periods of active duty, including ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran's statements regarding his history of onset and observed symptoms related to low back disability are also considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his right knee conditions from specific time periods.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10% since May 16, 2017. The Board denied increased ratings for both knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to unclear findings regarding his current hearing loss status and insufficient examination reports addressing service connection.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative changes resulted in a 30 percent rating from May 1, 2009 to February 22, 2010. From July 1, 2010 to August 7, 2023, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative changes and a 10 percent rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's sleep apnea began during active service and is granted.,The Veteran has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder related to his in-service stressor. A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the severity of his lumbar spine condition prior to January 14, 2020, and assessing the current severity of his bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional consideration, including a new examination to assess the Veteran's left wrist disability and determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.