Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee condition, erectile dysfunction, GERD, left hip strain, and right hip strain are all found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee meniscal tear. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the previous decision, and new evidence from a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied as she did not meet the threshold disability percentage requirement and was found to have an employment handicap. The Board concluded that the Veteran does not need rehabilitation due to her existing disabilities, education, and work experience.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability and service connection for a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting these claims.

The Board has ordered new examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right thigh, left knee, gum/dental, eye, and migraine conditions due to outstanding military records and potential competency issues.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as left and right shoulder disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to a reversal by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), which found that VA incorrectly determined the presumption of soundness was rebutted. The matter is now being sent back to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the current left knee condition is related to service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee DJD from September 30, 2010 to January 31, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shin splints and right knee osteoarthritis with Baker's cyst, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused the current disabilities.

The Veteran's COPD, claimed as shortness of breath, is granted service connection.,Service connection for arthritis of the joints (other than bilateral knees, shoulders, and spine) is denied.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disorder, including lack of service treatment records and verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to new evidence submitted after the April 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. Effective dates of June 23, 2017 have been granted for service connection awards for bilateral flat feet, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected left tibia osteoma or if it developed from aging. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on both causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate etiology opinions and outstanding records. The issues include right shoulder, left shoulder, left knee, tinnitus, left foot, right ankle, and asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and outstanding military personnel records. The claims will be reconsidered, and a VA examination will be scheduled to address the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as well as the right knee disability.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted service connection. Service connection for hyperdermatographism, right Achilles tendinitis, left Achilles tendinitis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral knee pain, right great toe pain, and tinnitus due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding scheduling new examinations and obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, elevated lipids, and elevated prothrombin time have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, bilateral hearing loss, ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy, and abdominal scarring due to ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, right foot condition, and left foot condition have been remanded. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy, and abdominal scarring due to ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right wrist and left knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.