Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar strain, right ankle sprain, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each effective August 25, 2020.

The Veteran's liver condition, bilateral knee arthritis, and skin cancer have not been shown to have begun in service or be related to service, including by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis have not been shown to have begun in service or be related to service, including by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased rating for persistent post-traumatic headaches has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative. The appeals for service connection for right knee, left shoulder, IBS, and TBI residuals have been remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple hip, knee, and ankle conditions was dismissed because the AOJ was already processing a Supplemental Claim regarding these issues.

The Board has restored service connection for a left knee scar associated with total left knee arthroplasty with residual limited ROM, pain and scar due to improper severance of the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's right knee strain is restored to a 30 percent rating effective April 1, 2025. The initial claim for an increased rating for the same condition remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest possible effective date is November 1, 2013, following his separation from service.,Effective January 17, 2018, the Veteran was granted separate ratings for various hand and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Right Knee Osteoarthritis with Symptomatic Removal of Semilunar Cartilage were denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the disabilities met the criteria for higher ratings within one year prior to the date of claim.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and a left knee condition, finding that there was no credible evidence of these conditions during his active duty for training period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions, as well as the retrieval of earlier VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PFB and vertigo have been denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The gastrointestinal disability, including GERD and viral gastroenteritis, has not been established as related to service or secondary to PTSD-induced weight gain.,Left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right ankle strain are also not found to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain (claimed as sprain) due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active military service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability was dismissed due to procedural issues. The claims for service connection for left elbow disability and onychomycosis were not granted.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding neurocardiogenic syncope, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, left ankle sprain, and right ankle sprain. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding neurocardiogenic syncope, cholecystectomy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder and knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee meniscus tear was diagnosed during active duty service and is granted as service connected. The other claims for orthopedic wrist, hand, shoulder, right knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are denied.

The reduction of the rating for service-connected left knee strain from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and restoration of the 30 percent rating is granted.

The Board has determined that additional VA opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle and bilateral knee strain, as well as whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary arteriosclerosis, and multiple joint issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since July 26, 2023. The Board has granted an effective date of that day for the award of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).