Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee strain to include degenerative arthritis has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal through their authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as she did not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss.,Service connection and an initial rating of 30 percent were granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease, effective May 8, 2019.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for sciatica (left lower extremity radiculopathy) is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain is dismissed.,The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee strain is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim has been rendered moot due to the combined schedular disability rating of 100 percent. His DEA benefits were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hand condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The Veteran's BHL was rated at 0% initially, with Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, while his right and left knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, PTSD, right foot peripheral neuropathy, a right foot great toe fracture, and right knee disability have been denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee arthritis, which includes painful flexion and limited extension, was denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the painful left knee extension.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions. The Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and will consider any new evidence in its decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected right knee meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee tendonitis and right knee tendonitis, finding that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes degenerative arthritis and a history of fracture, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to May 5, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The evidence did not show that the increase in disability occurred before this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for tension headaches, TMJ disorder, and right knee strain due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis due to a lack of complete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at the minimum 10 percent level due to limited range of motion, but not more. The Board finds no evidence warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to 'Valley fever' at Camp Roberts in June 1989, which is foundational to his current claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spurs, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other conditions. As such, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted.