Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the March 2025 decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate and remands the case to allow for a new medical determination considering all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's conditions and functional ability.

The Veteran's right knee instability rating is restored to 20 percent effective November 1, 2019. The initial disability rating for right knee instability remains denied and the increased disability rating for right knee chondromalacia is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left arm, and right knee disabilities have been granted due to new evidence presented. The cases are being remanded for further examination and rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the entire applicable appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is neither secondary to his service-connected right femoral neuropathy nor directly related to his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee conditions, including meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, are related to her service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, skin condition, and left knee injury. Service connection was denied for gastroenteritis and right ankle injury.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, skin condition, and left knee injury due to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee joint osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2025 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and right knee scar was denied, with the effective date being December 3, 2012.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU prior to October 18, 2018 due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has found that there is competent evidence of record to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, but the AOJ's reliance on inadequate VA opinions in denying the claims was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Board therefore remands the case for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and insufficient evidence, including a need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension, back, left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities are granted. However, the claims for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left shoulder disability, and neck disability are remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need of regular aid and attendance has been granted. The case is remanded due to errors in obtaining necessary evidence for a TDIU rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and no new rating or effective date is provided.

The Veteran's right knee condition, including secondary foot drop, is rated at 40 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee osteochondral loose body, status post arthroscopic surgery to remove loose body due to lack of evidence showing flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; extension limited to 5 degrees or more; sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or complete ligament tear; patellofemoral complex with recurrent instability; ankylosis or its functional equivalent; dislocated semilunar cartilage; symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage; malunion or nonunion of the tibia and fibula; shin splints; or genu recurvatum.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 29, 2021 for the grant of service connection for a hearing loss disability. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded due to procedural errors and need further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right foot and right knee conditions due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to consider relevant VA treatment records and radiology reports. New medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of a right knee disability and hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension). The heart disability claim is remanded.