Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, its relationship to service, and whether it is secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to his left elbow and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's skin condition is presumed to be related to her Gulf War service.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's right knee disability, including a higher rating for his anterior cruciate ligament tear and meniscal tear, as well as a compensable rating for scar tissue. The decision is based on the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection and rating for chest pain, hearing loss, left shoulder pain, major depressive disorder, left ankle pain, left hip pain, left knee pain, right ankle pain, right hip pain, and a compensable rating for dry eye syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for left knee conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The appeals for a total disability rating for individual unemployability and DIC benefits are also dismissed.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for further development and evidence collection.

The Veteran's migraines are granted service connection due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf. The cases for left and right knee disabilities are remanded as requested by the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with its previous directives.

The Veteran's left knee and thoracic strain disabilities were denied increased ratings, with the case being remanded for further examination.,Service connection was not established for chronic allergic conjunctivitis due to lack of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left knee and left shoulder was denied as he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his supplemental claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development regarding her character of discharge from active duty. The AOJ must address whether she was insane at the time of her offenses and if so, determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder caused her behavior.

The Board has determined that further remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and issues with communication regarding his fiduciary.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right knee degenerative changes and left leg compartment release were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on motion loss or instability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining SSA disability records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain and patellofemoral arthritis due to inadequate notification of a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC for his service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle sprain, tinnitus, meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis of the left knee, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and others, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left knee disability prior to March 20, 2017 is denied as she was already receiving the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Codes 5003 and 5258. The claim for a rating in excess of 100 percent from March 20, 2017 to May 1, 2018 is also denied due to the highest schedular rating being assigned. From May 1, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's left knee disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.