Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of timely receipt of a notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the April 2016 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a headache disability, to include TBI. The cases are being returned for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is rated at 20 percent prior to July 18, 2017. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to September 29, 2015 due to service-connected disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the current diagnostic codes used to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues remain remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and her service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left quadriceps/ left knee disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating available, and a separate compensable rating for instability since September 29, 2022 has been granted. The Veteran's left knee scar and gland scar have not met the criteria for additional ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities (arthritis) due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination opinions. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to a motor vehicle accident during service, but there is uncertainty about whether these align with how arthritis typically develops.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to conflicting opinions on whether these conditions are related to active service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment is being remanded due to the need for updated medical examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic left knee disorder in service or within one year after separation from service. Additionally, the Board determined that the current left knee disorder is not related to the in-service injury and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability and sleep apnea, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and incomplete information regarding his periods of military service.

All service connection claims for various conditions are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues with the rating decisions, including concerns about the use of Diagnostic Codes and the need for retrospective medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted service connection. The claims for deep venous thrombosis, seizures, tumor of the right eye, and coronary artery disease are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left-shoulder disorder, jaw disorder (including TMJ dysfunction), and right-knee disorder due to additional relevant evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's right leg disorder and knee instability are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings available under current VA regulations.,Her lumbar spine condition is also rated at its minimum level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The claims for service connection are being remanded due to additional relevant VA treatment records and VA examination reports being associated with the claims file after the issuance of the August 2017 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to notify the Veteran of a scheduled VA examination for his left knee disability. The Veteran is required to provide any outstanding medical records and must be given another opportunity to attend the examination.

The Board has denied service connection for onychomycosis of the toenails due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and active service. The right ankle, right knee, and low back disability issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.