Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left and right knee subpatellar chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease are granted at a 10 percent rating, effective from February 1, 1993 to November 20, 2008. The Board finds no basis for higher ratings or service connection on appeal.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of prostate cancer, and a right knee disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claims are supported by evidence showing in-service noise exposure and service treatment records documenting injuries to the knees.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development of the record, including a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability prior to May 2, 2022.

The Board has restored the prior ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, left knee instability, and right knee instability as these rating reductions were found to be improper.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's symptoms of knee pain and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are being evaluated again by VA examiners.

The Veteran's arthritis, bilateral knees and carpal tunnel were not found to be related to service. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or connection.,The Veteran's emphysema was attributed to her smoking habit rather than exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for erectile dysfunction, a headache condition, and a left knee condition, as well as entitlement to SMC at the (k) level based on loss of use of a creative organ. The earliest date VA was made aware of these claims is May 22, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, and right ankle conditions due to a lack of medical nexus opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records are also requested as part of the remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to service, but needs further examination and review due to a potential pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. These conditions are deemed to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability. The rating for hematuria remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee total arthroplasties, as well as his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, were denied. The Board found that the current assigned disability ratings adequately reflected the functional impairment caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, intestinal disability (including IBS), sinusitis, upper respiratory infection disability, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee strain, and left knee strain has been denied.,Remanded issues include GERD and knee strains.

The appeal is granted as the Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability is restored. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and other procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities have been denied as there was no claim filed prior to April 26, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability were denied. The case was remanded due to issues with the reduction of his hearing loss rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability was initially denied in November 1977 due to a finding that the condition existed prior to service. The Board found clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision, as it did not apply the correct presumption of soundness for pre-existing conditions. As a result, the appeal is granted with a grant of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's hip, knee, and lower back disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions considering his service history.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active-duty service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to provide this information.