Knee Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral knee strain and degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (previously denied as lower back condition) due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeals of all listed conditions, and as a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, left leg arthritis, and right leg arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (m) is granted from March 15, 2011 to March 8, 2012. The Board also grants an earlier effective date prior to June 18, 2014, for entitlement to special monthly compensation (p)(m1/2).

The Board has denied a higher evaluation for the Veteran's left knee proximal posterior tibia osteochondroma, finding that the evidence does not show limitation of motion more nearly approximating flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a final decision being made.

The Board has remanded both the left foot and left knee disability claims due to inadequate examination and medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, bilateral elbow lateral epicondylitis, and bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are all granted as service-connected. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claim for bipolar disorder and the issues of COPD, hypertension, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and left elbow disability are being remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the left knee meniscal tear and left shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ needs to confirm dates of active duty training (ADT) and inactive duty training (IDT) service, obtain financial records from DFAS, and any outstanding service treatment records related to ADT and/or IDT service subsequent to his April 1991 demobilization examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for left knee instability with osteoarthritis is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in severity of her condition within one year prior to July 28, 2023.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD is granted and effective as of May 2, 2023. The Board found that the evidence showed total occupational and social impairment due to her PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for neck, low back, right knee, and left knee disorders. The Veteran's hypertension claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disorders. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's preexisting left knee disability was aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The reduction of the rating for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper, and restoration of a separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability is denied.