Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded both the TDIU and increased rating claims for right leg amputation due to inextricability, and for referral of the TDIU claim to VA's Chief Benefits Director or the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's left knee condition was previously rated at 10 percent and increased to 20 percent in October 2019. The VA has now restored the 20 percent rating effective June 1, 2022.

The Veteran's cervical, left knee, and right knee strains are granted service connection. The claims for bilateral 5th digit numbness and tension headaches related to these conditions are remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right hip, and right knee disabilities based on continuity of symptomatology since active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, skin conditions, knee issues, and hypertension, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or aggravation.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of dermatitis or eczema, and his claimed back condition, right knee conditions, left knee conditions, hypertension, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were not caused by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle tendonitis, left ankle strain, and left knee strain with effective dates of October 15, 2018. The initial ratings assigned are 10% for each condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The initial compensable disability ratings for right ear hearing loss, PFB, and tinea pedis are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as for migraine headaches, require additional development due to inconsistencies in the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802 or a rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and knee conditions, as well as gastrointestinal issues (including GERD), due to additional pressure caused by compensation for her service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and right foot injury. The VA is requested to obtain relevant medical records and conduct new examinations to address these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will consider each issue individually.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for a left knee disability and its relationship to service-connected right knee strain.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for his headache condition and a higher rating for his left knee condition have been denied.,The Board found that the original ratings were properly assigned, as there was no evidence of prostrating attacks or other criteria warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of GERD and service connection for right knee, right hip, and left hip strains has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found the VA examination inadequate in assessing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected left knee strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, low back disability, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, left arm and right arm disabilities, left elbow and right elbow disabilities, left foot and right foot disabilities, left hand little finger, right hand little finger, left hand index finger, right hand index finger, left hand long finger, right hand long finger, left hand ring finger, right hand ring finger, left hand thumb, right hand thumb, left knee, right knee, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity cold exposure, right upper extremity cold exposure, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability have also been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability was dismissed due to the appellant's request to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ankle and knee disabilities, low back disability, anxiety/depression, insomnia, sleep apnea, and headaches, did not begin during or are otherwise related to service. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee meniscus tear disability is related to a work injury and not service or any service-connected condition. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his knee and foot disabilities have been dismissed due to procedural issues.