Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of documentation regarding the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to evidence of potential worsening in his bilateral knee and left arm disabilities. These issues must be addressed with new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not related to his active service and denied the claim. The claims for initial disability ratings, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, gastroduodenitis, diverticulitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including whether they are related to service or other factors. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed.,The appeal for service connection of OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, neck, and back disabilities due to incomplete VA examination reports and a need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for knee conditions are being remanded due to the need to consider new diagnostic codes for rating musculoskeletal injuries.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding pain and functional limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition, back condition, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are not granted as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, including VA examinations of his PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right knee surgery and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability prior to November 16, 2017, and since February 1, 2019, is denied.,For the period prior to November 16, 2017, the Veteran was not entitled to an increased rating as he did not experience limitation of motion or painful limited motion that met the criteria for a compensable rating under specific knee codes based on limitation of motion. The Board also found no additional functional loss due to pain.,Since February 1, 2019, the Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA medical examination to address whether there is additional functional loss during flare-ups and if reduced muscle strength or atrophy are present. The RO must also consider the old rating criteria before February 7, 2021, musculoskeletal revisions as well as the new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's statements and VA examinations will be reviewed to determine if there is a link between her current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues on appeal, specifically verifying the Veteran's periods of active duty, active duty for training (ACTDUTRA), and active duty for special work (ADSW). The case is therefore being remanded to obtain these verifications.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hand, left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disorders due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU, have been dismissed due to a withdrawal of appeal in an August 2022 written statement.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination findings and additional development is required.