Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's spine, knee, shoulder, and sense of smell disabilities due to new evidence. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a right knee disability, reflux esophagitis, head injury, dysphagia, and a left shoulder disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing and because some of the issues have new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of ESRD, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, along with other service-connected conditions, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since March 19, 2018. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's service connection for migraine-headaches is granted, and a 10 percent rating is assigned for his left knee disorder (limited flexion). A separate 20 percent rating is assigned for his left knee instability. The issues of increased ratings remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of VA examination. The TDIU and automobile/adaptive equipment eligibility claims are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a right knee disability. The Board dismissed the appeal as per the Veteran's request.

The Board granted a TDIU from August 28, 2015, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The decision also remanded the issue of whether she should receive a TDIU prior to that date due to her inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and bilateral hip disabilities due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased ratings for bilateral knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to a remote most recent examination. The Veteran will need more current examinations to assess their current level of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, left hip, and right knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The rating for mechanical back pain with degenerative disc disease remains remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance by another person due to her service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, urinary incontinence, migraines, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, knee conditions, and sexual arousal disorder. The decision grants SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's chronic left foot disability and right knee disability were both granted service connection. However, the claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ disability is related to her active service and remanded for further examination of her knee, ankle, and foot disabilities. The issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, right and left ankle disabilities, and left foot hallux valgus are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg/knee disorders, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertions of in-service trauma leading to current disabilities, but the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and medical opinions regarding his knee conditions and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and post-operative left knee injury were denied. A 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, are granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability and right knee disability remain in dispute.