Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disorder, left tibia stress fracture, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral foot disorder due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that he must report for any scheduled examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as incurred during service. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied, and the claim for an earlier effective date for left ear hearing loss is also denied. TDIU is granted with conditions met. Effective dates for other claims are not granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and headache disability have been granted. The claim for hypertension has been denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's headache disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and TBI.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes and its complications. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and granted a noncompensable rating for scars associated with left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as PTSD, have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's low back disability rating is also remanded due to insufficient information regarding its severity.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscal tear, is rated at 20% for the period from November 16, 2017 to June 27, 2018. The rating remains denied for higher ratings due to limitations in motion and instability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral knee osteoarthritis, bilateral degenerative meniscus, and left knee parameniscal cyst are related to his in-service symptoms. The decision is based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not constitute a disability for VA purposes at any time during the appeal period and therefore denied her claim. The issues of service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are remanded due to incomplete records and need for an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional service treatment records due to incomplete information.

The Board has granted service connection for right chronic knee strain, but denied service connection for left knee disability.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to jet fuel. The left and right knee disabilities, and GERD are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder) is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of such a condition during or proximate to the pendency of the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and denied service connection for bilateral pes planus. The right knee disability is attributed to an in-service injury, while the bilateral pes planus is not considered related to active duty.

The Veteran's service connection for right knee strain is granted, and his left knee condition is rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee strain was related to his military service, while his left knee condition had a limitation of flexion measured to 62 degrees.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I in both ears.,For the period prior to January 14, 2020, the right knee disability was evaluated at a noncompensable rating. Beginning January 14, 2020, it has been rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.,The left knee strain disability is currently rated as noncompensable.,Right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 14, 2020. Left knee instability is granted at a separate 10 percent evaluation.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also remanded. The issue of TDIU has been included in the appeal.

The Veteran's claims to establish service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for right knee disabilities, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and a right knee strain. The issue of instability of the left knee is remanded for further adjudication.,The Veteran's appeal to establish service connection for left knee instability is being remanded.