Knee decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD disorder and remanded claims for left-knee, low-back, and eye conditions. Insomnia was granted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the left foot disability but denied service connection for several other conditions, including sinus and liver disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of extension and instability, is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran was previously awarded a non-compensable rating for his limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant treatment records and providing a fully adequate VA medical opinion. The AOJ will obtain any missing records, including those from Prisma Health, and provide the Veteran with another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis. The issues of service connection and TDIU are now pending.

The Veteran's left foot disability was rated noncompensably disabling prior to January 18, 2023. The VA examiner found no pain or functional limitation in the left foot at that time.,From January 18, 2023, the Veteran's right knee fracture disability was productive of painful motion flexion from zero to 130 degrees, without ankylosis or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to a failure to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his right knee disability, including a determination on the temporary total rating and a rating in excess of 10 percent. The issues are related to service connection under direct theory.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and right knee sprain with pain, finding no current disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar disc disease with bulging of intervertebral discs and right knee chondromalacia patellae, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis/tendinosis have been granted. The Board found new and relevant evidence since the final denial supporting these claims.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 6, 2014 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Board has denied service connection for depression and remanded the claims of right and left knee injuries due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for back pain, eye conditions, joint pain/general arthralgia, right ankle condition, and right knee condition. The claims were not based on a presumption of service connection or exposure to specific hazards.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is manifested by no more than moderate instability prior to June 15, 2018. The Board granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for cervical spine, bilateral knee, left foot, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty from April 1, 2015, to April 19, 2018, resulted in chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness. The Board granted a 60 percent rating for this period.

The appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for PTSD, low back strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also being remanded.