Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted based on noise exposure during active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for various other disabilities. The decision also denies ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability effective September 24, 2013. It also granted a 20 percent rating from September 25, 2013 to April 7, 2022 and a 30 percent rating on and after April 8, 2022 for left knee instability under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's right knee surgery and convalescence are related to his service-connected right knee limitation of motion, warranting a temporary total disability rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection of his low back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's right knee disability did not result in limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less prior to July 27, 2019.,Prior to July 27, 2019, the Veteran's right knee instability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not show the presence of these conditions during or within one year after active duty service, nor were they shown to have been incurred in line of duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his requests through his representative in January 2022.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis have been granted. The claim for unstable angina and arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further consideration due to the need for additional medical examinations and information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA evaluations regarding the Veteran's arthritic disabilities, other than those already service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain adequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's right foot hammer toes, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and low back disability has been reopened, but the claims are still pending as new evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to its potential secondary relationship with his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the left knee disability was rated appropriately, but the right knee disability required further examination.

The Board has restored the previously assigned disability ratings for right and left knee instability, finding that the reductions were not proper. The Veteran was granted TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for back condition is granted. The Board has remanded the cases of residuals of left buttock hematoma, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the bilateral knee disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) claims due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right ear hearing loss, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and a right ankle disability are being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The VA has ordered additional examinations for left ear hearing loss and potential service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee chondromalacia and aorta residuals due to inadequate examination reports, need for retrospective opinions, and new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including DJD and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for instability prior to July 6, 2023, and a 30 percent rating from that date onwards.