Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee strain, and TMJ left side are all found to be at least as likely as not caused by her service. The right knee strain is denied due to lack of contemporaneous documentation. The tension headaches and cervical strain are also found to be related to the Veteran's service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbar strain, left knee strain, TMJ left side, tension headaches, and cervical strain have been determined to be at least as likely as not caused by her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The claim is denied.,Left knee disorder and right knee disorder are not shown to be related to military service. The claims are denied.,Low back disorder is not shown to be related to military service. The claim is denied.,Sleep apnea is not shown to be related to military service. The claim is denied.

The Board has found that there is not sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.,Regarding arthritis of the left wrist, left knee, and ankles, the Board has found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, and neck conditions. The claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.,There was no persuasive evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current knee or back conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, headaches, and left knee disability are granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable rating for her right knee stress fracture.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected neck, headaches, and left knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lateral and collateral ligament laxity of both knees as all issues have been finally adjudicated.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to joint disease disability, as well as pension benefits prior to March 19, 2021, and special monthly pension. The Veteran's joint disabilities are being examined again to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his TDIU claim and the rating of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left and right knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to inadequate examinations and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to the addition of relevant VA examination reports and treatment records after previous statements of the case were issued.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 11, 2013 for the awards of service connection for various conditions including PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI residuals, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, and scars of the bilateral knees, left calf (other impairment).

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the competency of the VA examiners who initially determined service connection for the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities. The Veteran and his attorney requested their qualifications, and further medical or factual development is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address secondary service connection claims, including those related to antibiotic medications used to treat service-connected respiratory and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his left elbow condition, cubital tunnel syndrome, shoulder condition, back condition, knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, eye condition, neuropathy of the hands, and neuropathy of the feet.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome).,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding his shoulder condition.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his back condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his knee, eye, hand, and foot conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder and PTSD) appeal is also remanded for an examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his eye condition.,The Veteran's appeals are all remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his hand and foot conditions.