Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and TBI, have rendered him unable to dress or undress himself and require regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons include needing to address unresolved medical questions regarding alcohol consumption and its impact on the Veteran's disability picture.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability as secondary to his now service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for stable angina, right knee arthroplasty, and left knee arthroplasty due to the need for additional development of medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further review on all issues, including increased ratings for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for a previous VA examination, specifically regarding the Veteran's history of 'trick or locked knee' at separation. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and attempt to obtain any available records from CMAFB.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities are granted. Additionally, his claim for hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure is granted under the PACT Act.,Service connection is established for bilateral knee and low back arthritis as they began during active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as status post lateral dislocation with arthroscopy and debridement with mild arthritis, was denied increased ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to February 24, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent since then.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee chondromalacia and instability prior to specific dates have been denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability due to inadequate development. The case requires an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the February 2023 knee examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip disability, left and right knee disabilities, bipolar disorder, and TDIU. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the appeal is dismissed for all issues except SMC at the housebound rate. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria with his current disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various knee, hip, and nerve conditions. The reduction in rating for right knee osteoarthritis from 20% to 10% was also found improper.

The Board has ordered the remand of three issues related to the Veteran's TBI, left knee disability, and low back disability. The claims are being returned due to incomplete VA treatment records for Jamaica Plains VA Medical Center and insufficient qualifications of the examiner who conducted the July 2022 examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg above-the-knee amputation was caused by VA negligence in providing timely surgical intervention, resulting in sepsis and necessitating the amputation. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The AOJ will seek additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee arthroplasty residuals from August 1, 2017 to July 2, 2018 were granted a rating of 60 percent. The appeal for higher ratings beyond this period was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right knee or right ankle disabilities, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.