Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders as there is no current diagnosis or symptoms of a knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee patellar instability associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied. The earliest date of entitlement found in the record is June 30, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound of the left lower extremity and a left knee disability has been dismissed as moot due to full grants in prior decisions.,Service connection was granted for both conditions from February 2, 2018.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, which were previously denied in an April 2021 rating decision. The TDIU was awarded as part of the same claim that sought increased ratings for the knees.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for prostate cancer. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied, and his initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded three issues: respiratory condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and sleep condition. The reasons for the remand include failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and a need for further examination due to participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current left knee pain had its onset in service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to incomplete records and inaccurate medical history provided in previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left and right knee chondromalacia due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases in the previous decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including frequent episodes of locking, pain, and swelling, is now rated at a separate 20 percent effective from August 16, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for back, right elbow, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities (left and right) have been denied. The separate rating assigned under DC 5257 for left knee strain was properly discontinued, as were the separate rating assigned under DC 5257 for right knee ACL tear with strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The appeals will be adjudicated based on the evidence of record, which could include denial of the benefits sought.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disorders were not present during active duty, did not manifest within one year of service, and are not attributable to service.,Bilateral pes planus was identified as a pre-existing disability on entry into active duty, but the condition was not aggravated beyond its natural progression in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for OSA is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a lack of verification of exposure to herbicides/Agent Orange, as well as incomplete verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran's mental health disorder claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for restrictive lung disease, as his FEV-1 was within the range of 71 to 80 percent predicted.