Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee condition, characterized by pain, swelling, and instability, is rated at a 20 percent level due to moderate lateral instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as a TDIU prior to October 2, 2024, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran was eligible for beneficiary travel benefits to attend a VA medical appointment on March 16, 2021 due to his service-connected conditions. The Board found that the nearest available clinic provided the required care and that the Veteran's statements were credible and consistent with the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding missing VA treatment records and verification of stressors. The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and COPD are being examined again, while PTSD is being verified.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis with lateral meniscus tear and medial meniscus tear, as well as left knee strain, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance regarding whether these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his low back, right knee, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The VA examinations were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding flare-ups and functional loss/impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left knee disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for bilateral tinnitus are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error related to the evaluation of medication effects on his disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right lower leg disability (claimed as right shin splints) due to insufficient evidence linking his current condition to his active service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right leg disability and that any symptoms he experienced were related to bilateral knee arthritis, which is not presumed by VA law.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation of scars, right knee and service connection for sleep apnea. The scar claim was denied due to the scar not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802. The sleep apnea claim was denied as there is no evidence that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease, including participation in a toxic exposure risk activity.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including sleep apnea, hypertension, left knee strain, left hip condition, right hip condition, foot pain, headaches, low back condition, and neck condition. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition has been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including mild neurocognitive disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The right knee extension rating of 10% prior to June 27, 2024, and 20% from that date, is also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, skin disability, left knee disability, and left wrist ganglion cyst based on new evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that they are related to his in-service injuries and treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, as well as a left knee disability due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's attorney requested a hearing but withdrew it before the scheduled date.

The Board has restored the prior ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, but has remanded the issues of increased ratings due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee degenerative joint diseases are rated at 20 percent each, but the Board has restored these ratings. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities due to inadequate duty-to-assist error in the prior decision.