Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including costochondritis, hiatal hernia with GERD and gallbladder polyp, tibia impairment of the right knee, left ulnar neuropathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, left neuralgia of the median nerve, left neuralgia of the upper radicular nerve, gastric ulcer, and chronic cholecystitis. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations to assess current severity, and conducting TERA examinations as required by the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance or being housebound based on her service-connected conditions. The Veteran needs further VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete prior remand directives and a need for an opinion regarding the impact of crutches on the Veteran's clothing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for right knee tendonitis is being remanded due to new evidence received after the appeal was transferred to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, CAD, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability may be related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's neck arthritis may be related to his military service. Further development is needed to obtain all available service treatment records and VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in medical opinions and missing audiometry test results. The issues include sleep apnea, right knee strain, right hand condition, left hand condition, and cervical spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis was not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was improper and has restored the original rating.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection and rating for the Veteran's heart palpitations, left knee condition, osteoarthritis of the right first MTP joint, and osteoarthritis of the left first MTP joint due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination and the need for more current findings.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's right knee and bilateral shoulder disorders are related to herbicide agent exposure or military duties during service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is rated at 50 percent since January 22, 2023. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine, shoulder, hip, knee, and radicular conditions are related to her in-service injury. The Board finds the VA examiners' opinions inadequate as they did not consider the relevant STRs or lay evidence of record.,The Veteran contends that her current musculoskeletal pain and symptoms began in service and are also related to her service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee bursitis status post mycobacterium infection. The other issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disability was granted. Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis secondary to left knee baker's cyst is also granted. However, the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his left knee baker's cyst remains denied.

The Veteran's stomach disorder, including gastritis and pancreatitis, is not service-connected. However, his right knee disability is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, left hip, right hip, hernia, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) have been granted.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the September 2015 rating decision became final due to lack of timely appeal.,The Board also remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected left and right knee disabilities.