Knee Board decisions

The appeal for service connection for COPD, a right hand disability, and a left hand disability was denied. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was dismissed. Service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), as well as knee instability, was granted with specific ratings.,The Veteran's right hand disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's left hand disability is not related to service.,The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been dismissed.,A 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), was granted from February 22, 2022. A 20 percent rating for right knee instability and left knee instability was granted from March 7, 2021.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and his active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for limitation of flexion of the right knee pain based on a medical nexus between in-service incurrence and current diagnosis.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for all claims, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for medial plantar nerve neuropathy of the left foot, denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis, and remanded claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a lumbar spine disability, and a right knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for arthritis pain in left knee, breathing issues caused by burn pits, and high blood pressure/hypertension due to a need for additional evidence through a VA examination.

The Board denied the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating. The claims for service connection for various leg and foot disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for left knee strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand arthritis and remanded claims for acute sinusitis, a bilateral knee disability, a bilateral ankle disability, headaches, right index finger fracture, and loss of focus or speech deficit.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; left knee disability; right knee disability; thoracolumbar spine disability; sleep apnea; and left foot disability. The claims for fibromyalgia and a compensable rating for hearing loss were denied.

The Board remands the appeal for further development, including an updated VA examination to properly consider the ameliorative effects of medication and brace use on the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is related to his service, including his in-service duties and post-service employment.

The Board restored a 30% disability rating for the Veteran's left knee disability from May 1, 2017 to September 22, 2023. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea, and a temporary total rating due to convalescence following left knee surgery was granted.

The appeal of a proposed reduction of the evaluation of left knee meniscal tear, status post arthroscopic repair with chondromalacia, to include degenerative arthritis from 20 percent to 10 percent is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left knee disability was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher disability ratings, as well as denied a compensable rating for left and right hip strains with impairment.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and right knee disability to obtain an addendum opinion that adequately considers the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability, to include meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a migraine disorder and patent foramen ovale (PFO), to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for migraine, left hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and left knee disorder to obtain addendum VA medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and right knee condition as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active service.