Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, but there is conflicting evidence regarding his post-service occupation.

Service connection for a left knee disorder is granted.,The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 2002 rating decision that denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 21, 2017, for the award of service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis is also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder, specifically whether it is related to service or secondary to his left hip disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during active duty.,VA examinations were not provided for the Veteran's hip, low back, and knee disabilities. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is granted. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,A TDIU from October 1, 2021 was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting notations in the medical records and a need for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to her service-connected conditions has been remanded. The VA failed to provide adequate notice regarding the scheduled VA examination, which resulted in a denial of the claim. The Board is now required to ensure that proper notification was provided and that the Veteran's address is correctly recorded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the knees and shoulder, neuropathy of the lower extremities, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. The issues of PTSD, depression, a sleep disorder, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further clarification regarding the severity of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, specifically addressing muscle atrophy related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the file, and the AOJ needs to review this evidence before making a decision.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities manifested by pain.,Service connection is also granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and total knee replacement residuals is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA examination and clinical documentation. The Veteran has not waived initial review by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA opinion and scheduling a VA examination. The issues include entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person and/or other SMC, as well as initial increased ratings for his right knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the evaluation for his service-connected left femur fracture and knee disability, which was previously rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is granted. The claims for a left knee disability and a left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's arachnoiditis is due to treatment for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine. The claims for left knee and blood clot disabilities are remanded, and the claim for a higher evaluation for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine is also remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including breathing disorder, back disorder, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, heart disorder, painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, obesity, vision disorder, intestinal disorder, and sleep apnea. The Board also notes that no presumptive service connection is being considered for any of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to injuries sustained during military service.