Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neurological weakness of the hands and feet, amputation of the left leg above the knee, and denied reopening of the claims for service connection for pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence in all cases.

The Veteran's left femur disability, including associated knee issues, was granted a 30 percent rating effective prior to May 8, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's status post total left knee replacement disability is not related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the findings from a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 28, 2016, for the award of service connection for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, right knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss and GERD have been dismissed.,Effective January 28, 2016, an initial rating of 30 percent for GERD has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hand, hip, and knee disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the Veteran's unavailability for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right knee disorder during service or until many years after service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left and right knee conditions, and toxoplasmic chorioretinopathy with macular involvement, cataracts due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee condition and service connection for hearing loss in both ears are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss is being remanded as he reported worsening symptoms and there was no right ear hearing loss diagnosed. A new examination is needed, considering his testimony of noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion addressing whether it is related to service or within one year post-service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral hip disability is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement as raised at his hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total rating due to his left knee arthroscopy require additional examination and development of records. The current VA examinations are inadequate, and there is insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection. The issues of TDIU and service connection for a lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice regarding military sexual trauma. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate and does not substantially comply with prior remand directives. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records, scheduling a new examination, and considering any ameliorative effects from prescribed medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions, including shin splints, as secondary to a service-connected disability due to inadequate examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted, but the bilateral hearing loss and PTSD claims are denied.,PTSD was granted for an initial evaluation of 50 percent prior to October 26, 2017, but denied for evaluations in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and opinions due to inconsistencies in previous evaluations. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, but his instability warrants further review.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and requires further remand for adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee conditions and acquired psychiatric disorder.