Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for back arthritis and bilateral knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his periods of active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition due to new and material evidence submitted. However, further development is needed as a VA medical opinion is required regarding the etiology of any diagnosed left knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including higher ratings for knee conditions and radiculopathy, as well as a certificate of eligibility for an automobile allowance. The AOJ is directed to obtain pertinent medical records and schedule examinations to address the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent effective December 28, 2022. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's scars are not rated as compensable, but service connection for a back disability and chest mass is granted. Service connection for a hernia, right knee disability, and left knee disability is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's back and chest disabilities is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's current hernia, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for a stand-alone rating for sleep disturbance as secondary to chronic pain from service-connected knee and back disabilities, rather than as a symptom of service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is granted with a 60% rating from September 10, 2018, to June 22, 2022, and December 1, 2022. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, claustrophobia, and OSA are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions to estimate range of motion and additional impairment due to pain at specific examination dates.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment during the period from September 22, 2009, to prior to December 16, 2017. Therefore, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her thoracolumbar osteoarthritis and lumbosacral strain, as well as service connection for her left knee disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep disorder (to include as due to service-connected deviated nasal septum and non-allergic rhinitis), and hypertension.,There is no evidence of any chronic knee condition during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, right ankle disability, a higher rating for GERD with hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, and pancreatic pseudocysts, and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since June 17, 2021. The Board finds the Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate the level of impairment contemplated by a 70 percent disability rating throughout the period on appeal. For his bilateral pes planus and right knee conditions, the ratings remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination for left knee disability, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's status postoperative left knee scar is granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to December 10, 2018 and no higher thereafter.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including a right knee disability, low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, psychiatric disability, and a disability characterized by internal bleeding. Additional medical evidence was added to the claims file but has not been considered yet.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of right knee disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the May 1989 rating decision. The case is remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records needed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted initial disability ratings, with the exception of intervertebral disc syndrome with sacroiliac strain and degenerative arthritis, which has been increased to 40 percent effective June 16, 2021. The remaining conditions have received initial disability ratings ranging from 10 to 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.