Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right arm condition and left knee condition due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's reports of symptoms will be accepted, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied, but he received a TDIU effective from November 11, 2020.

The Board has found that the RO substantially complied with the January 2023 Board remand directives. The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities, low back disability, and left ankle disability are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% rating. The right foot hallux valgus and left knee Osgood Schlatter's disease cases are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis was granted, effective May 15, 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office did not substantially comply with its development orders and thus, these claims must be remanded again for additional development.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including knee and back conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguities in the medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being reviewed, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities (PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, residuals of left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee instability associated with residuals of left knee patellofemoral syndrome).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and hip disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records from his second period of active duty. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the skin condition on the feet is inadequate, and a new medical examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and instability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service, specifically an incident involving a Humvee hit by IEDs in Iraq. The decision resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and lumbar degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has jurisdiction over the Veteran's Legacy appeal and finds that a SOC must be issued for the issues of service connection for various conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination for the left knee disability. The Veteran was not notified properly and did not report for the scheduled examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee patellar instability and other orthopedic conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous instructions and additional development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee conditions, but granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee condition, and bilateral pes planus were granted in a September 2022 rating decision. As these issues are considered fully granted, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for skin cancer, testicular cancer, heartburn, headaches, dizziness, right hand disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims before a decision was made.