Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as his current protected work environment with VA does not allow for substantial income generation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and evaluation, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the appellant's service-connected disabilities and her claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's disabilities are associated with service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left knee strain with minimal degenerative changes is currently rated at 10 percent, and a separate non-compensable rating for instability has been granted. The claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis and knee conditions, have caused her to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions have been granted, with separate ratings assigned for each knee. The left knee chondromalacia patella and instability are rated at 10 percent, while the right knee chondromalacia patella and instability are rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded four issues related to secondary service connection for back, left knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder. The claim will be reviewed by a different examiner who will provide an opinion on whether the condition is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence of worsening symptoms since his last VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are now considered. The Board has also remanded several other issues due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his inability to attend VA examinations. The appeal will be decided based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability associated with a right total knee arthroplasty is being remanded due to the need for an advisory medical opinion regarding whether the delay in performing the procedure caused or worsened his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to January 3, 2020.,A higher rating for PTSD from January 3, 2020 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and a right hand disorder due to inadequate scheduling of examinations.

The Board has remanded the appeals of increased ratings for right knee, lumbar spine, and right femoral neck disabilities due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right and left Achilles tendonitis, as well as his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis. Additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's complete periods of active duty and obtain any service treatment records from those periods.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of various conditions during or as a result of military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher disability ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate compliance with a prior remand directive.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its August 2022 remand and another remand is necessary for the Veteran's left wrist, bilateral knees and arms, right shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current condition.