Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left thumb disability, heart condition, hypertension, right and left knee disabilities, peripheral neuropathies in the upper and lower extremities, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and remanded the issues of left knee disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs an addendum opinion regarding whether the service-connected left knee disability aggravated the right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the evaluation of left hip strain with trochanteric pain syndrome and thigh limitation of extension is dismissed.,Several issues related to non-allergic rhinitis, left hip strain, right knee strain, and left knee tendonitis are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's T-11 anterior wedge compression fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited forward flexion.,The Veteran's left knee patella tendonitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and there is no evidence of more than the normal limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his right knee scars and effective date claims.,His depressive disorder claim has been granted with a 50% rating, but no higher.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder, diagnosed as right knee internal derangement, finding that the pre-existing condition worsened during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability and PTSD with major depression are being remanded for further review.,Specifically, the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to a TDIU need to be reconsidered.

The Board has found a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the type of service (ACDUTRA or INACDURA) during which the Veteran allegedly injured his left knee. The Veteran served in the Marine Corps Reserve and claims he was on INACDUTRA when he injured himself, but there is conflicting evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right and left knee osteoarthritis as there were inconsistencies in the examination report regarding instability, which is a critical issue. The Veteran will need further medical evaluation to determine the extent of his knee conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right knee scars associated with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were awarded effective April 19, 2018. The Board found that the earlier effective dates for these benefits are warranted based on the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,The decision also notes that the Veteran has a permanent total service-connected disability from his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating issues related to psychiatric disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left thumb disability. The Veteran's disabilities are being examined again to determine their etiology and severity.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for tension headaches and has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability, to include degenerative arthritis.,A VA examination is required in order to determine if the appellant's current left knee condition may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraines, bilateral knee condition, lumbar spine disorder to include lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc space narrowing (lumbar strain), IBS, and erectile dysfunction were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board denied increased disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right and left knee arthritis disabilities from March 19, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee disability based on recurrent subluxation or instability prior to March 17, 2023, is denied. A separate initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for bilateral knee disability based on limitation of flexion under DC 5260 is granted.

The Veteran's left knee rating was restored to 20 percent effective May 1, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, PTSD, and anxiety. The claims are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.