Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's low back, bilateral leg, left knee, and right knee disorders are being reviewed with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his low back, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities. The Board is seeking further evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the need to determine the exact nature of the Veteran's active service, including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also requested to provide his complete SSA record.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination in determining ratings for right knee disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are now pending and will be addressed again.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is noted as a potential factor in his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety with depression has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, peripheral vascular disease of the bilateral lower extremity, bilateral leg orthopedic disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, arthritis of the shoulders, arthritis of the neck, sinus disorder, right eye disorder (glaucoma and cataract), erectile dysfunction, and heart disorder have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and addressing his contentions regarding chemical exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues regarding the propriety of reducing his left and right knee conditions from 10 percent to 0 percent effective January 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left knee, right knee, and right hip disabilities due to incomplete review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of both knees.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip, left knee, and left ankle conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset are considered.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral-knee disorder, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the claim due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the knee disorder was caused by or aggravated by his right-foot injury.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; erectile dysfunction (ED); rheumatic arthritis; hypertension; a bilateral hip disorder; and a right knee disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for new examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a low back disorder as secondary to a left knee disorder due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee instability, right elbow condition, and left elbow condition due to inconsistencies in previous VA examinations regarding the presence of knee and elbow conditions. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine condition, bilateral foot condition, right ankle skin condition, and knee conditions. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for impairment resulting from a right knee ligament tear.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for headaches/migraine headaches was dismissed as the August 12, 2005 grant of service connection has long been final. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.