Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has decided that the AOJ did not consider new service personnel records when denying the Veteran's claim for a bilateral knee and leg condition, leading to a remand. The case is now being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues include tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, right wrist sprain, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee instability with traumatic arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating, effective February 7, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The reduction of the rating for bronchitis from 30 percent to 10 percent was upheld, but restoration of the 30 percent rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the left and right shoulders as well as knees, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's right knee instability and osteoarthritis have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent from February 27, 2003 to July 21, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left ankle and left knee disabilities has been dismissed because the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for service-connected dolichoectasia of the vertebrobasilar system (peripheral vestibular disorder) and left knee disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee DJD status post ACL repair and lumbar DDD, retrolisthesis, and segmental instability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a right knee disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence when the claim is readjudicated.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's knee conditions will need additional medical records from his private chiropractor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, bilateral hip, bilateral hand (claimed as arthritis), and left knee conditions due to a lack of persuasive evidence showing current disabilities related to these conditions during or recent to the filing of his claims.

The Board has found that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the claims for service connection of lumbar spine disability and left knee disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee disability have been remanded for further examination and opinion. The initial compensable rating claim for hypertension was denied, while the service connection claim for right knee disability is pending.

The Veteran's right knee extension was limited at most to 25 degrees from February 9, 2024 and denied a higher rating.,An effective date of February 9, 2024 for an increased disability rating of 30 percent for chronic degenerative joint disease, right knee (extension) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that it is caused by weight gain associated with the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hand or wrist disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, and for left knee condition. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for migraines, right knee instability, cervical spine disability, and traumatic brain injury have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The claim of service connection for bowel impairment (secondary to TBI) is remanded.,Your effective date for the increased rating of 100% for bipolar disorder remains May 4, 2018, as it is factually ascertainable that an increase in your disability occurred prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity and knee pain due to cold injury, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service exposure.