Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's entitlement to a restoration of 90% disability rating for nuclear cataract and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, both eyes, is granted effective August 1, 2022. The earlier effective date claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound criteria is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the duty to assist and remands several service connection claims for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a left knee disability is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a pulmonary condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure by the RO to reschedule VA examinations and provide appropriate assistance in developing his claim while he was on active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance after considering all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral flatfoot.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that these conditions began during active service and have continued since.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee strain and whether his service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have caused his current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety condition, depression, insomnia, sleep disturbances (acquired psychiatric disorder), chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral elbow condition, ED, bilateral foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right leg disabilities with knee pain due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining relevant medical records. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his treatment at Walter Reed Hospital in the summer of 1958, and VA will make reasonable efforts to obtain any current private medical records related to his knee conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, left knee disability, and migraine headaches due to undiagnosed illness as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board denied service connection for left and right elbow conditions, but granted service connection for left foot, left wrist, and left knee conditions.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's left foot condition, bilateral wrist conditions, and left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision denying service connection for a left knee condition was based on inaccurate and irrelevant information, and thus requires further development to ensure proper consideration of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as his claim for service connection for an eye disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the cause of the eye disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand numbness, neck condition, bilateral knee condition, and headaches due to lack of current disability. The appeal is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran was granted service connection for migraines, left knee strain, allergic rhinitis, and ganglion cysts. Service connection was denied for left hip disability, plantar fasciitis, keratoconus, hearing loss, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for VA examinations related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied entitlement to ratings greater than 10 percent for right and left knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease based on instability during the period from April 9, 2019 through February 6, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for retrospective opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected shoulder degenerative arthritis, back condition, and knee conditions.