Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, sleep apnea and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of these claims.,The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, all of a common etiology, have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience since April 3, 2021. The Board is granting TDIU effective April 3, 2021, but remanding the issues for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current left knee disability is not related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot conditions and a left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions considering lay statements of prior issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset during service and is related to an in-service injury, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion and left knee instability due to scheduling issues with the Veteran's requested VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine if his left knee disability and sleep apnea are related to service, including examining whether these conditions were aggravated by additional periods of active service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted at a 30 percent rating from December 4, 2012. The right knee instability is granted at a 30 percent rating from November 11, 2012 to April 16, 2013 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal for high blood pressure was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to promulgation of a decision. The appeals for sleep apnea, respiratory disability, psychiatric disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and shin splints are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted service connection, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty.,Service connection for residuals of lymphangitis and a parasitic infection of the right foot is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities and asthma due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are being reviewed under direct service connection, while his asthma is being reviewed under both secondary service connection and aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for TBI-related migraine headaches, left knee disability, and low back disability have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and service connection for COPD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for neuropathy of the right arm, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability or rib fractures. The Board has remanded this issue.,The Veteran also seeks a separate rating for right knee instability. He testified that his right knee gives out and requires him to use a brace.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for instability, and a TDIU is granted beginning September 13, 2019. The rating for instability remains unchanged.