Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities, as well as to determine an appropriate effective date for tinnitus service connection. The issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for his right knee was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation, as the residuals were rated based on chronic conditions and the current functional impairment did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates for his right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to a procedural defect.,The Veteran's appeal seeking a compensable rating for his left patella scar has been accepted, but the claims are still pending.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left elbow, right elbow, right wrist, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain a VA examination and to verify the Veteran's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1974. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for back disability was initially denied in a February 2015 rating decision. The Board has reopened the claim due to new evidence received since then, but the issues related to his knees and back need further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 30 percent rating effective April 15, 2019.,The Veteran's right knee disability was also restored to a 30 percent rating effective April 15, 2019.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that his arthritis is due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, hemorrhoids, and tension headaches are all being remanded for further evaluation due to changes in their severity since the last VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including addressing pain levels and instability prior to his knee replacement.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, low back condition, and right shoulder condition due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The appeal is remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his right knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% for degenerative joint disease and a separate 10% rating for instability as of March 29, 2023. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's left knee surgery resulted in a period of convalescence, which qualifies for a temporary total rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right foot, left foot, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and scheduling issues.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, headache disability, and residuals of TBI are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service-connected conditions.,Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is also being remanded for a new rating determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and total knee replacement. The claim is being returned for further development.