Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities, as well as shin splints, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity should be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on scar, residual of left inguinal hernia repair and residuals of scar or right thumb and scar right knee were denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee total replacement is granted at a 60 percent evaluation, effective prior to August 11, 2022. A higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability. However, the issues of service connection for cranial nerve paralysis and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle and knee conditions, sinusitis, IBS, gastritis, and GERD due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including affording new knee examinations and obtaining opinions regarding the likely etiology of his bilateral hamstring weakness, right ankle weakness, and bilateral knee 'bucking'.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is asked to submit or authorize VA to obtain records from private providers who have treated him for these conditions since service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with patellar spur is denied a rating greater than 10 percent. The claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied as not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of records and an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's right knee condition is being reviewed again for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and foot conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran.,A new examination is required for bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and thoracolumbar strain with mild degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing addendum opinions. The issues of increased rating for left knee TKA replacement, service connection for right hip disorder, OSA, migraine headaches, HTN, and right knee disorder are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, lumbar, cervical neck, right knee, and left knee disorders due to inadequate etiological opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in previous examinations and because of the interrelated nature with his TDIU claim.

The appeal of the reduction for a right ankle disability rating and entitlement to an increased disability rating is remanded due to incomplete VA examination results.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis has been granted as a presumptive disability under the PACT Act due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension was restored to a 20 percent rating effective June 30, 2015. A greater than 20 percent rating for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee conditions, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and body convulsions (to include restless leg syndrome) due to new evidence not being received.

The Board has remanded the claims for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disorders, including osteoarthritis with knee surgery, limitation of flexion and extension, as well as muscle group IX injury prior to surgery and thereafter. The examiner must consider lay statements and provide estimates of functional impairment due to pain or flare-ups.