Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for sinusitis, left and right knee disabilities. Specifically, VA treatment records from A.F.C. need to be obtained, and a new examination by an appropriate clinician must be scheduled.

The Veteran's hypertension and partial paralysis of the right anterior saphenous nerve status post right knee surgery have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that a compensable rating is not warranted for these conditions.,The issue of an increased rating for right lateral epicondylitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his prescribed hydrochlorothiazide.

The Veteran's appeals for left knee, right ankle, and cervical conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was reduced from a 20% rating to a 10% rating, but the RO found that there had not been an actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work. The reduction is therefore being reinstated.

The Veteran's left, right knee disabilities and cervical spine disability are granted as service connected. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is also granted but the initial rating for his right ear hearing loss remains remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal for service connection for a back condition and bilateral knee disabilities in an October 2020 statement. The Board also noted that the Veteran has since been granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbar arthritis, status-post L5-S1 fusion is granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities are each granted a separate 20 percent rating for instability since February 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue will be further evaluated and an opinion from a medical professional is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for tinnitus and right knee disability. The decision on tinnitus is pending as it requires clarification of whether the Veteran was in active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The right knee disability claim is also pending due to a need for an addendum opinion addressing aggravation by service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, left knee, sinusitis, and gastroenteritis disabilities due to lack of in-service treatment records and consideration of lay statements. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded to obtain these opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee disability due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA medical opinion, and also because the Regional Office (RO) has not yet issued an SOC for the 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claims.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of appendicitis, right knee disorder, and right-hand disorder have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure. The claim for a right common iliac artery aneurysm has also been remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed disabilities due to lack of medical evidence supporting their onset in service or a relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and osteoarthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequacies in previous medical opinions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding all left knee diagnoses during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left hip disabilities. The claims will be reviewed with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and replacement are granted with specific ratings, with the arthritis receiving a higher rating prior to February 2, 2022, and the replacement receiving a minimum rating since August 1, 2022.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development as specified.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her service-connected left and right knee conditions is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination during her active-duty period.