Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no new and relevant evidence presented to support the original denials. The Board found that none of the conditions claimed are related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right and left knee conditions, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral knee disabilities have been partially granted. The 20 percent ratings for right and left knee meniscal tears and degenerative arthritis are restored, but the Veteran's requests for higher evaluations remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's migraines, low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to service exposure to burn pits. The PACT Act requires this examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee condition, right leg condition, and various radiculopathy conditions due to a failure of the duty to assist in providing adequate VA examinations.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no objective medical evidence demonstrating hearing loss.

The Board has restored the disability ratings for right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome (s/p arthroscopy) to their previous levels from December 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. His left knee instability is rated at 10%. The claims for increased ratings of the right wrist and initial rating for right wrist tenosynovitis with DJD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete employment information provided by the Veteran. The Veteran is asked to provide his employment history for the last three jobs and complete a VA Form 21-4192 for each of those employers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current knee disabilities are not related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his period of active service.,Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus and a neurological disability (claimed as 'nerves').

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate prior examinations and a need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability prior to June 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to procedural issues, including a need for clarification regarding patellar instability and ambulation aids. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion and left knee instability due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for additional retrospective opinions.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating due to lack of limitation of motion or instability. The Veteran's headaches do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric condition and a right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis with pes planus.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional VA examinations and opinions to determine if any diagnosed right knee or right foot disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and TDIU due to further development being required.

The Veteran's bilateral knee DJD and obesity are granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) is denied, and the hypertension claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a back disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received since previous decisions.