Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral foot disabilities. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded due to new evidence received since the September 2012 denial.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities are also being remanded as additional evidence has been submitted.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) related to military sexual trauma has been remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder strain, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to incomplete records and lack of service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these conditions being related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left knee medial meniscus injury and TDIU prior to May 30, 2023 are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The highest possible rating (100 percent) has already been assigned for the left knee from May 30, 2023, and the Veteran is already in receipt of a total disability rating during that period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between any in-service injury and his present symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral foot cold injury have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and residuals of left finger fracture due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the condition.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for right knee instability from January 25, 2015 to June 29, 2021 is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not appropriate as there is no evidence of more than limited flexion.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service connected. The right knee disability remains in dispute and requires further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The case is sent back for a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder (patellofemoral pain syndrome) and right shoulder disorder (shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his claims related to lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, and a urinary condition. His chondromalacia of the left knee remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The Board also addressed other claims and remanded them for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability, as well as his TDIU claim prior to March 29, 2016, are being remanded due to the need for new VA addendum opinions applying the but-for causal standard for secondary service connection.,The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder may be less severe if not for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for a back disability and right knee disability have been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal of his increased rating claims for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to the need for a new examination.