Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, and the cases for migraines and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation.,Service connection for the right knee disorder, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder are all denied.,Service connection for diabetes, back disorder, shoulder disorder, TBI (head injury) with memory loss, neck disorder, hypertension (high blood pressure), cerebral vascular accident (CVA, strokes), headaches, and PTSD is also denied.,The Veteran's vision loss was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The VA will also obtain updated treatment records, conduct TERA examinations, and schedule further examinations as needed.

The Veteran's right and left knee lateral instability disorders are now rated as 20 percent disabling for the duration of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his military service. The case will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence on file regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease as due to exposure to herbicide agents is granted.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis and coronary artery disease is granted, effective August 10, 2022. The appeal for the period prior to this date remains in appellate status.

The Veteran withdrew their claims for various disabilities, including patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the right knee, right knee instability, left knee disability, skin condition, and back injury. As a result, these appeals are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran was scheduled for an examination but did not attend, and no new appointment has been made yet.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, a left knee condition, a right knee condition, a left ankle condition, and a right ankle condition were granted. The claim of service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to lack of credible supporting evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Gulf War Syndrome, bilateral shoulder disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hip disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is remanded due to the need for further verification of stressor events.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions due to new evidence received since the last denial. However, these claims are being remanded as additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including meniscal tear and patellofemoral pain syndrome, is rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability has been granted. The Veteran also has service-connected scars from his right knee surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned for further development including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP and right knee strain, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is now granted for these conditions as secondary to service-connected left knee patellar/quadriceps tendon rupture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with TBI and lumbar strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 5, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his GERD, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, status-post medial meniscectomy, right knee, and scars, right knee.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence and the PACT Act, which requires VA to provide TERA examinations for toxic exposure-related conditions.