Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to secondary service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various joint and foot disabilities on a secondary basis to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and material evidence having been submitted, necessitating further development. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, an esophageal condition, neurological impairment of the left lower extremity, neurological impairment of the right lower extremity, low back strain, left knee iliotibial band syndrome, and right knee iliotibial band syndrome are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disabilities have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence was received. The Board finds that there is at least an equipoise of evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is presumed to be causally related to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War. The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, but remanded for further development on other issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims are not currently decided.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also remanded for additional examinations related to his claimed disabilities, including bilateral feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, skin, frequent urination, migraines, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and Bell's palsy.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the addition of new evidence, including updated VA treatment records and VA examination reports. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain her private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of physical therapy notes from 2014-15, and for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a respiratory disability due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee meniscus conditions have resulted in frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. A rating of 30 percent is granted for each knee.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, COPD, OSA secondary to PTSD, and other disabilities have been granted. The appeal is not about service connection for exposure-related conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee patellar tendonitis are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. As a result, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder is dismissed as the RO granted service connection for a persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and an insomnia disorder.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied. The evidence does not show limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or more, which would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports that his tinnitus had its onset in service.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis (claimed as 'flat feet') is denied. The VA examiner found no clear and specific etiology of the condition, attributing it to a prolonged period without complaint after service.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder condition, left knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and left hip condition are all denied. No evidence supports their onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and right hip condition are all remanded.,The Veteran's claims for a hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are both remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher.

The Board has granted a separate, 10 percent disability rating for right knee instability. The issue of an increased rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's total right knee replacement is rated at a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the April 2019 decision. The rating is based on chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral foot, right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities. The reasons include needing to clarify the Veteran's service in December 1995 and obtaining missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthroscopy residuals and left knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her active service.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative meniscal pathology is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied as not related to service.