Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected foot disabilities.,The Board noted that while the Veteran had complained of bilateral hip pain for many years, medical records did not show any abnormal gait or other symptoms indicative of a secondary hip disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) for the Veteran and a medical nexus opinion regarding her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ should also readjudicate the issues with consideration of new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection claims regarding right knee disorder and left toe disorder, so the cases are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and consideration of lay statements. The Veteran's knee conditions may be related to service, but a new VA opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations of right and left knee sprain prior to September 14, 2015 due to an inadequate May 2013 VA examination report. The examiner did not provide a retrospective opinion on the functional limitation of the Veteran's knees during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in the October 2021 hearing where the Veteran's right knee scars were not specifically questioned regarding their instability and pain. The case will be remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee scars.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to January 19, 2011. The evidence does not substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for GERD and right knee disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and left shoulder disability due to inadequate VA examination. The case will be reviewed with a new examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and right knee disability, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service combat injuries.

The claim to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for back disability and left hip disability is dismissed.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, headaches, PTSD, left knee disability, and right knee disability are dismissed.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis, as well as his left knee and right knee disorders, are granted service connection. The left shoulder disorder remains in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating due to limited flexion.,A separate disability rating for right knee instability was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis, finding that there is insufficient evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities on a secondary basis to her service-connected PTSD. The disabilities are caused by obesity, which was also caused by her service-connected PTSD.