Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for leukocytosis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and a right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, left and right wrist rheumatoid arthritis with osteopenia, left and right knee strain with rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia are granted as related to in-service bacterial food poisoning. Service connection for hair loss is also granted secondary to service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and thus the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board has denied service connection for stomach, neck, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of competent evidence establishing current disabilities or an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for left and right knee instability to 10 percent, but denied entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee condition should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of access to certain medical records stored in Vista Imaging or similar repositories. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and associate with the claims file complete updated clinical records, including those from VA and non-VA treatment providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and relevant evidence has not been received to support the readjudication of his claims.

The Board has denied service connection for back, left knee, and right knee conditions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) is remanded due to a misapplication of the presumption of soundness.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee extension and flexion is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increased evaluation for left knee extension, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee flexion. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance of another person or causing housebound status due to service-connected disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates are not established. The application to revise a March 1995 rating decision based on CUE is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, neck condition, and right knee condition due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and voiding dysfunction were denied as not related to her military service. The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hysterectomy, left ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (phobias), and rhinitis need further examination and opinion.,The Veteran was provided with a remand for additional examinations and opinions to address her claims of tinnitus, voiding dysfunction, bilateral pes planus, hysterectomy, left ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (phobias), and rhinitis.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities is granted from October 1, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection claim for DMII was granted effective April 11, 2020. The initial evaluations for lumbosacral strain and left knee pain were denied. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy disabilities are rated at 20 percent each since April 24, 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and right knee condition as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to a TDIU and basic eligibility to DEA benefits from April 17, 2017 to October 11, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have not improved under the conditions of daily life, and his knee conditions are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee strain are each rated at 10 percent, the maximum non-compensable rating under VA regulations. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.