Knee Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, except for granting a 20% rating for right and left knee meniscus conditions from October 8, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right hip strain (extension) and left knee scar, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear, degenerative joint disease, status post meniscectomy, arthroplasty and chondroplasty, limitation of flexion but granted a separate 10 percent rating for the same condition based on limitation of extension. The Board also denied an initial compensable rating for left knee linear scars.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 10 percent for left knee strain disability, as there was no evidence of extension limited to 15 degrees even considering functional loss during flare-ups or upon repetitive use.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hip disability, but remanded claims for a right knee and ankle condition.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee strain as manifested by a semilunar cartilage condition and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, while denying higher ratings for right knee strain based on limitation of motion and instability.

The Board dismissed the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for heart, left knee scar, hearing loss, right finger, granuloma, and lipoma disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board granted readjudication of six service connection claims based on new and relevant evidence, including hearing testimony and a nexus statement from Dr. Townsend. All six claims were remanded for further development, including obtaining incomplete service treatment records, VA treatment records, private medical records, and adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted an effective date of April 20, 2021 for a 30 percent rating of the left knee replacement condition and denied earlier effective dates for service connection of left hip strain and limitation of abduction and adduction. The psychiatric condition was rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for fatigue, pes planus, gout in the feet (secondary to PTSD), ankle disability, and right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and denied a compensable disability rating for non-allergic rhinitis. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right knee, left knee, low back, and right shoulder disabilities were remanded.

The appeal for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has been dismissed by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable evaluation of posttraumatic arthritis, left knee, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The appeal with respect to service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to the grant of service connection by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) in September 2023. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The appeal concerning the propriety of the rating reductions for the Veteran's right distal fibula disability and tinea pedis was dismissed, while SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted prior to February 20, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and remanded claims for left knee pain and a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the service-connected right knee scar and remanded the claim for a higher rating for the service-connected right knee mild knee strain, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, and right and left knee disabilities due to the lack of evidence supporting a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.