Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a recent VA examination. A new examination is required to assess the current severity and functional impact of the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and to consider all applicable diagnostic codes. The Veteran's left and right knee conditions, as well as his right middle finger condition, are being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee sprain with residual calf muscle sprain is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. Service connection for calcium deposit on the sciatic nerve as secondary to service-connected right hip strain with osteoarthritis is also granted.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to September 12, 2023. The case is REMANDED due to the need for further development regarding service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and hip disabilities due to insufficient detail in the previous examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee DJD and instability prior to December 19, 2023, and on or after that date have been denied. The RO found the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 19, 2023, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their specific functional limitations, with a 10 percent rating for instability of each knee from January 24, 2012 to January 5, 2023. The ratings were restored or granted effective January 5, 2023, and higher than 10 percent ratings have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and residuals of right thumb fracture due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disabilities and service connection for a right knee condition were denied. The dismissal of the right knee claim is due to the Veteran not filing a supplemental claim since the previous denial.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to October 26, 2012, for the grants of service connection for TBI and migraine headaches were denied in a February 2020 Board decision. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions or file a supplemental claim with new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's December 2022 VA Form 10182 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) does not set forth contended errors of fact or law in the February 2020 Board decision nor does it plead with particularity any such errors such that the NOD can be construed as either a motion for reconsideration or a motion to revise the Board's February 2020 decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip and knee conditions due to incomplete service treatment records, particularly those from the National Guard and Reserve periods of service. The AOJ is instructed to make reasonable efforts to obtain these records.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current knee conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates of service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome and arthritis, right knee, with meniscal tear, and intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine (claimed as low back condition), were denied due to the lack of relevant official service department records that existed and had not been associated with the claims file when VA first decided the claim.

The Veteran's right knee surgery did not necessitate at least one month of convalescence, and therefore her claim for a temporary total disability rating due to convalescence following the surgery is denied.

The Board has granted the readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal issues. The cases are now remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct an error in the pre-decisional duty to assist, and to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's attorney was granted eligibility to receive 20 percent of the past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 rating decision for representing the Veteran on his TDIU and increased bilateral knee disability claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to readjudicate the claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The right knee disability is still being considered.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error identified during higher-level review, specifically regarding post-service treatment records from Camp Pendleton.