Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee sprain and degenerative arthritis of the spine are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and associated scars, is currently rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's right foot condition, left foot condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine/back problems and increased ratings for his bilateral feet and knees disabilities due to new evidence presented during a hearing in May 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, back, left hip, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and issues with credibility of the Veteran's complaints.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and lower back conditions, as these issues are no longer relevant due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during his third period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of multiple joints are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Board has identified several issues that must be addressed, including those related to RA of the cervical spine, right and left shoulders, and wrists.

The Board has restored a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee instability effective February 1, 2019. The reduction from 20% to zero percent was not proper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has found that additional relevant evidence has been added to the claims file and has remanded the case for readjudication by the RO.

The application to reopen the claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability and right arm disability is granted. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral degenerative changes of the hands and right knee arthritis is also granted.,The Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, may be related to his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder or due to medications taken for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that there is a reasonable possibility he is unemployable.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee strains and TBI have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for DD of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the issue of a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his right and left knee disabilities, lumbar spine disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case will be returned to the Board after the requested development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple joints and feet is being remanded due to incomplete service history provided by the VA examiner.,Additional evidence will be sought, and a new opinion will be obtained regarding the relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, restoring a 20 percent rating for left knee meniscal tear with instability and denying entitlement to higher ratings for the knee disability. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities. The cases are remanded for additional development including VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding non-VA treatment records that were not obtained. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private treatment records from Bend Surgery Center, Providence Health & Service, Total Care/Loyal Care, and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA is instructed to attempt verification of these exposures and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the disabilities.