Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as he failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's heart disability is being reviewed for potential secondary service connection to his psychiatric disability. Right and left knee disabilities are also being reviewed for potential secondary service connection to his thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective June 26, 2017. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 15, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 20% rating for limitation of flexion, and separate ratings were granted for limitation of extension and instability. The left knee received a 10% rating for limitation of extension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a right hip disability are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, hypertension, and lower back disability due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of supporting medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including back disability, right knee disability, bilateral sciatica, neck disability, chronic headache disorder, and associated conditions. The decision also includes a request for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right hand condition, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and left wrist disability due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider relevant medical literature.,The TDIU claim prior to February 26, 2021 is also remanded as it could significantly impact the other claims.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since October 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. An effective date of February 18, 2016 was established for the grant of a 10 percent rating for ethmoid sinusitis.

Service connection for asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted. Service connection for a bilateral heel/ankle disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension (HTN) are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.,The Veteran's STRs document an incident where he was pinned between a truck, leading to injury to both knees. The VA examiner noted x-ray evidence of remote MCL injuries to both knees.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated based on instability, with separate ratings for flexion limitation. The current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.,Service connection has been remanded for further examination to determine if there are underlying conditions contributing to the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right shoulder disability, left foot Morton's neuroma, traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, arthralgia of the left knee, post-concussive syndrome, depressive disorder with post-concussive syndrome (previously rated as personality change due to another medical condition), migraine headaches, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The AOJ is directed to obtain all VA treatment records scanned into VistA Imaging or other repository.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to an inadequate examination and inconsistency in the examiner's rationale. The case is being sent back for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is rated at 40 percent effective July 22, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.