Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including effective date determinations and service connection for various disabilities. The appeal remains in appellate status.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip disability, right shoulder disability, heart disorder (claimed as a heart murmur), and gastrointestinal disorder.,The Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in 2022 and 2023 was noted. The Board found that the Veteran failed without good cause to comply with the remand instructions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The Board also remanded the cases regarding left hip degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the April 2020 remand directives and has therefore ordered the case to be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not permanently increase in severity during his period of active duty for training.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and thyroid nodules (endocrine condition) claims are remanded for additional development. The left knee and lumbar disability secondary to service-connected conditions also need further examination and opinion.,The Veteran needs a new VA examination for her right ankle disability, as the previous examinations did not address functional loss during flare-ups or with repetitive use over time. She also requires a new VA endocrine examination to determine if she has an endocrine condition related to service. The left knee and lumbar disability claims need further evaluation by different examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet VA criteria for hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The appeal as to service connection for sleep disturbance and anxiety disorder is dismissed.,The appeals as to the remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of flexion, is restored to a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for various wrist, ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in January 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected right knee, right hip, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the right nephrectomy service connection is denied.,The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for scars of the right great toe, right leg, left thumb, and left and right knees are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's left knee condition, including a partial meniscectomy, resulted in painful motion and instability. The Board denied increased ratings for limited/painful motion of the left knee and left knee instability.

The Veteran's right knee osteochondral lesion and instability are rated at 10 percent, but his limitation of flexion is rated at 30 percent. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, right shoulder disorder, unspecified circulation disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders due to incomplete evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations. The examinations are scheduled to be rescheduled and new evidence is needed to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the lower extremities, and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as there is sufficient evidence to substantiate that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee and hearing loss disabilities, including a TDIU claim. A new examination is required for the left and right knee conditions due to over six years since the last comprehensive VA examination. The right ear hearing loss and potential service connection for left ear hearing loss are also remanded.

Service connection is granted for residuals of frostbite of the left foot, right foot, and right knee. Service connection is remanded for residuals of frostbite of the left hand and right hand.,The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints of cold injuries to his feet and knees during active duty. Post-service medical evidence confirms current diagnoses of frostbite residuals in multiple limbs. The VA examiner provided opinions supporting the Veteran's claims, with one opinion finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service.