Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee instability and arthritis, as well as a separate rating for his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected bipolar disorder and tinnitus.,The claim for left knee strain was reopened, and the Veteran's current condition is now considered secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is not enough evidence to show that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for right hand and left hand nerve damage have been dismissed as service connection was granted. The appeal regarding PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee disorder, right-hand disorder, left-hand disorder, right-ankle disorder, and intestinal disorder (to include chronic diarrhea) is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. Claims for increased ratings of various hip and knee disorders, as well as left leg shin splints, were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression) and a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings for left knee disability and TBI were denied. The Board found that the symptomatology did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition and its relationship to service-connected conditions. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right hip bursitis. The decision on the right hip bursitis issue is pending as it requires an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development of the evidence.

The appeal of the claim for PTSD and increased rating for tinnitus are dismissed.,The appeals for reinstatement of left metatarsal and knee disabilities ratings, as well as entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and a left ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, residuals of right and left ankle sprains, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knee due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

Your claims for service connection for right knee and right hip osteoarthritis are dismissed under the legacy system.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, right knee strain, and left knee disability. The Veteran is also entitled to a compensable rating for his right knee limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bowel disorder, claimed as diarrhea, digestive disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her left knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including obtaining outstanding non-VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disability was reopened and granted. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was also granted. The claims for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% rating. The VA has ordered remand for additional evaluations of his coronary artery disease, right knee, and right shoulder conditions due to the possibility of worsening during the appeal period.