Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision also remanded several issues, including those related to the left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and aggravation of existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to clarify whether the Veteran currently has a right knee, right hand, or lumbar spine disorder related to service.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder, right elbow, and right knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left wrist disability. The Veteran's current complaints and treatment records are insufficient to resolve these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability, as well as his claims for service connection for a left hip disability and lumbar spine disability secondary to his left knee disability. The remand is due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the impact of the Veteran's flare-ups on his range of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of some issues which were remanded. The new and material evidence has reopened several petitions to reopen previous denied claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee condition warrants a remand for further evaluation and development.

The Board has granted a 10% disability rating for the left toe disorder, but remanded other service connection claims due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension prior to June 20, 2018 and a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5257 prior to January 19, 2023. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and right ankle conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, alcohol use disorder, erectile dysfunction, gout, sleep disorders, low back disability, neck disability, peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, restless leg syndrome, left knee disability, psychiatric disability, shoulder disabilities, pes planus with neuroma and plantar fasciitis, left foot disability post-surgery, and right knee meniscal tear.

The Veteran's Graves' disease, right knee disability, left knee disability secondary to thyroid disorder, avitaminosis disorder (vitamin D deficiency), hypertension, and arthritis are all granted as service-connected. The Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, left hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to consider all additional evidence since the last decision in April 2019 and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to discrepancies in the record and need for further clarification regarding the Veteran's ability to obtain suitable employment with his additional service-connected disabilities. The VRC is instructed to provide a supplemental opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition, left knee condition, and hemorrhoids have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's chronic stomach condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral knee disability due to conflicting medical evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left shoulder strain, right knee limitation of flexion, and left knee limitation of flexion have been denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that her current degenerative joint disease (arthritis) of the left knee is related to her military service. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran due to the benefit-of-the-doubt rule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle disorder, and left knee disorder have been denied. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.