Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee instability and strain is granted, with the reduction in disability rating for left knee instability being restored. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder separate from OSA, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining issues of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and hemorrhoids are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic knee condition during active service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the current left knee pain does not constitute a compensable disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and requests for additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis, left knee strain, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder tendonitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee, left ankle fracture, bruxism, plantar fasciitis, and residuals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a current disability or any link between his military service and his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances and the relationship between his dental condition and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and left ankle conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but remanded the psychiatric disability claim. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (remanded) while others were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2023 VA examinations, challenges to the competency of the examiner, and conflicting medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been REMANDED for further development and examination. Issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right heel disability, left heel disability, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions to determine if his current knee, ankle, foot/toe, and shoulder disorders are related to service, specifically cold weather injuries/frostbite.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hand arthritis, CTS, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends her conditions are related to service, including repetitive movements in her MOS as a medical service specialist.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is granted as his tinnitus is etiologically related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the claims to reopen for consideration of new and material evidence related to low back, bilateral knee, left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, right knee, and right ankle disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee condition, as the previous examinations are more than five years old and do not address functional loss due to repetitive use or flare-ups.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The cases are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to her military service or service-connected hepatitis C.