Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to its failure to consider the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities in determining whether he is unemployable. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further development is needed to assess his occupational impairment caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability beginning February 24, 2019, and separate ratings of 10 percent each for right and left knee instability beginning December 1, 2022.

The Veteran's right knee instability, lost flexion, and lost extension have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each since December 6, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA examinations and addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities, as well as the qualifications of the November 2023 examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 3, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities. The appeal will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to incomplete examination reports and missing medical records. The case is now pending with instructions for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee strain, finding that it was caused by his service-connected right knee strain and anterior cruciate ligament tear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since March 16, 2019.

The Veteran's initial ratings for a back disability and right knee limitation of flexion are denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings based on the current range of motion findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential errors in the initial decision. The Veteran's Air Force Reserve service personnel records need to be obtained, along with any outstanding service medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2022 rating decision. The Veteran's service records show complaints of bilateral knee pain during service, but a VA examiner found no evidence linking current knee strains to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee pain. The Veteran is requested to provide a new medical opinion that addresses his service connection claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of low back disability, right leg disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and migraine disorders. The claims will be reviewed with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, and he is denied increased ratings. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity CTS, and a left knee disability to include DJD and PFS due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran will need additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee injury is related to his service, specifically the period from July 1990 to November 1993. The examiner will be asked to provide opinions regarding whether the condition clearly and unmistakably had its onset before any of these periods of active service.

The Veteran's bilateral above-the-knee leg amputations and stroke residuals are granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertensive vascular disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure of predominantly 100 or more, which is required for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria.