Knee Board decisions

The Board has identified errors in the VA examinations and remands the claims for cervical strain, bilateral knee pain, and GERD with irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are related to service but further examination is needed to determine if they were aggravated by other disabilities or due to non-service-connected factors.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,A 20 percent rating, but no higher, for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted.,A compensable (10%) rating for right knee patella tendon repair scar prior to September 16, 2020 is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon repair scar from September 16, 2020 is denied.,Prior to June 3, 2021, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patella tendon tear with degenerative joint disease is denied. On and after June 3, 2021, a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, or left upper extremity radiculopathy disability. Hypertension and an acquired psychological disorder are diagnosed but the Board cannot establish service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle tendonitis, left ankle tendonitis, right knee strain, and left knee strain. The conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service duties.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knees and feet conditions due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions prior to the March 2022 rating decision on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Veteran was awarded a 10% evaluation for hypertension and a 30% evaluation for cervical myositis with cervical spine spondylosis, but the maximum benefits are not granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition has been dismissed due to concurrent elections and improper handling by the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will provide an examination for service connection of left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, considering the June 2012 service treatment report.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee strain is remanded due to inadequate VA medical examinations and their accompanying opinions.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable disability rating for right knee arthroscopy was upheld as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the November 1988 decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right knee conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran is presumed to have entered service with a pre-existing condition, and further examination is needed to determine if there was any aggravation of this condition during service.

The Veteran's appeals for various ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has granted effective dates of July 5, 2023 for the service connection of various knee and leg conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee strain, and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical evidence addressing these issues.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities under the modernized review system. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition, left hip condition, and thoracolumbar spine condition are not related to his active service.,There is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition due to inadequate medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has restored the previously granted ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation, left knee degenerative arthritis with limited extension, right knee degenerative arthritis with limited extension, and right knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left knee condition, back condition, and migraines have been dismissed due to procedural errors. The appeal for migraines is being remanded.