Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU as inextricably intertwined with his additional increased rating claims. The RO must readjudicate these issues and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its directive to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. Therefore, another remand is necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a jaw disorder and increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and lung condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back, left knee, and right great toe disabilities as well as a TDIU due to additional evidence added to the claims file since the July 2020 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran is also required to provide a TDIU Claim Form.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for MDS, left leg above the knee amputation, and right leg above the knee amputation due to a lack of medical opinions addressing theories of entitlement. The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee pain was reopened and granted. Service connection for a left knee disability is also granted.,A new rating decision is required to address the Veteran's right chondromalacia patella.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to toxic chemicals during his active duty. The Veteran must provide additional lay statements or objective medical evidence to support his claim of exposure, and if found credible, he will be scheduled for a VA TERA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure. His back disability is linked to his active service, as evidenced by a history of injuries sustained during service.,The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities were aggravated by his service-connected right total knee replacement and/or back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted.,Service connection for post-concussive headaches was granted, but service connection for peripheral neuropathy of any extremity or sleep condition was not established.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a back disability and right knee disability, both related to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for secondary service connection of a left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service medical records. The Veteran's active duty and Army Reserve service are acknowledged, but further efforts must be made to obtain his complete service medical records.

The Veteran's right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The left knee disability met the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on instability.,Prior to February 26, 2013, the Veteran's left knee condition was rated at 20 percent due to meniscal dislocation with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. Since September 29, 2017, she received a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, hypertension, bladder incontinence, and headaches due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ingrown toenail condition, bilateral knee condition, and acquired psychiatric condition have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain has been remanded.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with the May 2020 Board remand. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present right knee, left knee, and arthritis disabilities, other than right and left knee arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right groin strain, and left shoulder condition. The claim seeking entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right groin strain was dismissed without prejudice. The claim seeking entitlement to a service connection for a bilateral knee condition is remanded.

The Veteran's left and right knee instability have been granted a 30 percent rating for the entirety of the appeal period, with no higher ratings allowed under applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the claim for another examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and to secure opinions addressing the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning. The AOJ must also obtain private treatment records and secure TDIU-related opinions from an appropriate clinician.