Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification in light of recent legal precedential opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip, bilateral knee, left foot, and neck disabilities as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and right knee disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these disabilities to his active service. The TDIU claim was granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left knee disability (to include as secondary to service-connected psoriasis), bilateral eye disability (to include as secondary to service-connected psoriasis), and PTSD due to lack of evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of whether new material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for lower back condition, PTSD, left knee condition, and right knee. The Veteran must file a substantive appeal if he wishes to continue his appeal on these issues.

The Veteran was previously employed but resigned due to service-connected disabilities, including back pain and ureteral stricture.,From January 1, 2017, onward, the combination of his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, as well as his right knee disability due to insufficient evidence in their favor.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if there are current disabilities related to service, including sleep apnea, left knee conditions, right knee conditions, and a left shoulder condition.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing their appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied as the evidence did not show any additional functional loss or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for increased ratings are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for nerve entrapment as a residual of hernia surgery was denied, and his appeals for service connection for left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity sciatica, and acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee lost extension are granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD is denied. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations in determining the severity of the Veteran's right knee arthritis. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for a right foot and psychiatric disabilities due to their grant in prior rating decisions. The remaining issues - neck, right upper extremity radiculopathy, headache, and right knee disabilities - are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for residuals of a cold injury and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left knee disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking it to military service and rejecting both direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, left foot, right foot, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was granted for a low back disability.