Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA treatment records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's right knee disability. The claims for increased rating and TDIU need to be remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral total knee arthroplasty due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left hip disabilities have been denied as new and material evidence was not received. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left foot, and left hand disabilities are denied as the evidence does not support a current disability or link to his in-service fall.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence to determine if it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a compensable rating for scars, superolateral and inferior aspect of right patellar tendon, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals, status post arthroscopy for anterior cruciate ligament tear, right knee. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issues of kidney disease (secondary to hypertension) and spinal stenosis are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his left arm and right knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right leg and knee disorders, specifically his livedo reticularis and right knee osteoarthritis. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for bone spurs of the bilateral feet and a bilateral knee condition was granted. The petitions for service connection for a respiratory condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neck pain, chronic low back pain, and corns and calluses of the bilateral feet were denied.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to various disability ratings and effective dates for service connection, as the Veteran withdrew her appeal in its entirety.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 12, 2022, and on and after March 1, 2023, for left knee disability due to lack of adequate VA examination.

The Board has granted a Total Disability Rating for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from June 1, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anterior bridge of nose disfigurement is rated at 10 percent for the period prior to February 21, 2020. From February 21, 2020, a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of four characteristics of disfigurement. The Veteran's left knee strain and shin splints are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability and separate rating for instability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on flexion limitation, but granted a separate rating for instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for emphysema, headache condition, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee strain, and right knee strain due to an improper filing of a Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, CFS, lumbar and dorsal spine disorders, right wrist disorder, and right knee disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further investigation and medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown to be present during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current left knee disability that is related to service. The Veteran did not have any documented knee injuries in service, and her separation examination was negative for any complaints or findings regarding the knees. She also testified that she treated her knee pain with over-the-counter medication during service without seeking further treatment.,The Veteran's right knee condition was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The Board denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder and hypertension with renal kidney cancer, have led to a combined rating of 80 percent. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to support a TDIU due to the Veteran's failure to cooperate in providing necessary information.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 30 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for instability. The rating for limitation of extension remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's clothing allowances for a left knee brace and right knee brace, related to service-connected left knee disability and right knee disability, are granted for the calendar years 2013 and 2014.