Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied higher ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and extension but granted a 20 percent rating for left knee meniscus symptomatology from July 3, 2013, to June 14, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for rectal bleeding and polyps, finding that the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by it. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, OSA, diabetes mellitus type II, and kidney disorder. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports, failure to address pain during range of motion testing, and need for retrospective opinions regarding functional loss prior to April 20, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for a LEFT shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, as well as the denial of SMC at the K-rate on account of 'loss of use' of the LEFT foot.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent initial disability rating.,The Veteran's headaches are granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during a period of Active-Duty Training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, chronic headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee strain with bursitis, chronic right knee strain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, chronic right ankle sprain, allergic conjunctivitis, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities. As such, TDIU is granted from August 26, 2020.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have each been assigned a 10 percent disability rating under the current criteria. The Board has found that there is no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant an increased 20 percent rating.,For the cardiovascular disability (stroke) and left shoulder disability claims, additional medical opinions are needed as the VA examiners did not address relevant in-service symptoms and findings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his injury during Active Duty for Training in July 1995. The claim will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, low back, and upper back conditions due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee.,Service connection was not established for a psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure due to lack of evidence of such conditions during the pendency of the claim. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current disabilities and service.,The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for duodenitis with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as there is no evidence showing severe symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot, left foot, and hip disabilities have been denied. The Veteran is granted initial 10 percent ratings for his service-connected right knee scar and left knee.,A TDIU has been granted based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected hip and knee conditions have been rated as noncompensable under the relevant diagnostic codes for limited motion. The Board finds that higher initial ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain and left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear and partial patellar tendon tear are granted. The effective date for the award of service connection is May 16, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a somatic disability with symptoms of pain in the bilateral knees and back, and tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left leg disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a deviated nasal septum has been withdrawn. The Board also denied service connection for left knee disability, IBS, sinusitis, and OSA due to burn pit exposure.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no current evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, feed himself, and perform daily activities. He is also not considered housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.