Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his knee disabilities and other issues have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her lumbar spine and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to May 4, 2023 or since then.,For both periods of time, the evidence showed limited range of motion but no ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and left knee conditions due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran seeks service connection for these conditions, which he contends began during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including right and left foot disorders, bronchial asthma, knee, hip, shoulder, or neck DJD, or cervical spondylosis. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury, disease, or symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, colitis, headaches, and right knee chondromalacia patella, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 7, 2010. Her TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to insufficient medical information and the need to obtain updated treatment records. The claims include earlier effective dates and evaluations for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee meniscal tears with degenerative arthritis (now claimed as knee pain), residuals of cold injury of the bilateral hands, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and psychiatric disability (PTSD). The Board found that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence to support a finding that these conditions began in service. Service connection was granted for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The left knee instability was granted, but the meniscal tear and limitation of motion claims remained denied.

The Veteran's injuries from the May 1980 motor vehicle accident are not considered to be in line of duty due to willful misconduct.,Service connection for all claimed conditions is denied as they resulted from the Veteran's own willful misconduct during the incident.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted service connection, with a maximum disability rating of 30%.,Her migraine headaches are granted an increased disability rating to 50%, the highest possible under current criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for a right thigh disability due to lack of evidence of current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability, and secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any past or present symptoms to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions. The appellant's right knee and bilateral foot disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's left knee disability with limitation of extension is granted at a 50% rating effective from June 7, 2023. The claim remains in appellate status for the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his left knee degenerative arthritis prior to April 26, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to April 26, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied his claim for a TDIU solely due to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the initial decision denying service connection for a left knee condition was incorrect due to inadequate medical opinions and remanded for further development.