Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the claim for service connection for right knee disability has been received. The Veteran's current diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a brain trauma injury, increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative changes, and withdrawal of other claims have been denied. The Board found no evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions of head injuries or current disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was denied, and her request for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome (left knee) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected knee, back, and scar disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted SMC at the housebound rate from March 17, 2016, to April 5, 2021. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee disability and scar, as well as TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability alone, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his left knee status post gunshot wound is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also received separate ratings for left knee instability (30%) and scars (10%). Other issues related to service connection or TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as due to a personal assault during service.,Right shoulder DJD and dislocation are granted, with continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder and dismissed the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee meniscal tear with degenerative joint disease in an October 2023 rating decision.

The Board has restored the Veteran's left knee disability rating from 20% to 30%, effective November 1, 2018, finding that there was actual improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was reopened and granted. His right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the appeal for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is required to provide new examinations that address the Veteran's competent testimony regarding his symptoms during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities, as these new evidence does not establish a nexus between the disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection of lateral meniscal tear left knee as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to potential missing SSA records that may contain relevant information for his disability benefits.

The claim for service connection for sarcoidosis of the right lower lip is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded.

Service connection granted for a right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and atrial fibrillation. The right knee disorder is secondary to the service-connected left knee strain. The left shoulder disorder was incurred during active duty service. Atrial fibrillation is either directly related to service or due to pre-existing stomach ulcers.,Service connection granted for a left shoulder disorder. The condition began in service and has persisted since then.,Service connection granted for atrial fibrillation. The condition originated during service, possibly due to the Veteran's perforated duodenal stomach ulcer surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disorder or back disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of residuals of heat stroke remains pending as additional evidence and an examination are needed to determine if such condition exists.