Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis with instability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to his military service, specifically running and marching up hills with heavy packs.

The Veteran's representative filed a motion to withdraw the appeal for multiple service connection claims, including asthma, flat feet, impingement syndrome in left ankle (claimed as ankle pain), left injured knee and chronic pain, migraines, right ankle pain, and right injured knee and chronic pain. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied in March 2022. The Veteran did not file a timely appeal, and the case has been dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 14, 2019. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for all service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for right hand impairment, left knee impairment, and left shoulder impairment. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for knee strain, right with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued through the present day.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for several of the Veteran's claims, including GERD, peripheral neuropathy, right hip replacement, right knee status post total knee replacement, and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or conflicting theories.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition (claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were received on April 21, 2019. The Board found that an increase in disability was not factually ascertainable within a year prior to the receipt of his claim and thus denied earlier effective dates.

The Board granted a 10% disability rating for the Veteran's right knee surgical scar effective June 12, 2019. The Veteran attempted to appeal this decision by filing a Decision Review Request (DVR) but did not proceed with an appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). As a result, his attempt to appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's physical and mental disabilities, including service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD, require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding his requirement for aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as his current protected work environment with VA does not allow for substantial income generation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected disabilities and her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's disabilities are associated with service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left knee strain with minimal degenerative changes is currently rated at 10 percent, and a separate non-compensable rating for instability has been granted. The claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis and knee conditions, have caused her to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions have been granted, with separate ratings assigned for each knee. The left knee chondromalacia patella and instability are rated at 10 percent, while the right knee chondromalacia patella and instability are rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded four issues related to secondary service connection for back, left knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder. The claim will be reviewed by a different examiner who will provide an opinion on whether the condition is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.