Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and initial ratings related to his left knee and middle trigger finger disabilities has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, right knee status post total knee arthroscopic repair, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, IVDS of the spine and lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, osteoarthritis of the right ankle, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis (indicated by pes planus), render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various orthopedic disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the functional impact of flare-ups during the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and leg disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his representative. The Board has also remanded cases involving right and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's knees and feet, including for additional examination opinions regarding the etiology of her knee and foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis and his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection is warranted, including low back disability, left shoulder dislocation, left knee disability, right knee disability, corneal abrasion of the left eye, erectile dysfunction, and headaches.,Service connection was denied for residuals of right index finger laceration and residuals of left upper thigh stab wound due to lack of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and her service-connected PTSD, as well as whether any of these conditions were caused or aggravated by her in-service exposure.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the effective date for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 60 percent for total right-knee replacement is granted effective December 1, 2016.

The Veteran's left hip, left knee, and neck disabilities are granted as service-connected.,His bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for fatigue, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, heart condition, type II diabetes mellitus, and depression have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disability, and left hip disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a right knee injury due to new and material evidence received since the May 1974 rating decision. The claim is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition and granted it. The evidence shows that the Veteran sustained an injury playing volleyball during active duty, which led to current diagnoses of meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee surgical scar were denied compensable ratings. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for a painful scar associated with the left meniscus tear with Baker's cyst status post total knee replacement, effective March 4, 2020.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected left knee disability as of August 1, 2022. Additionally, he is granted SMC at the housebound rate effective from August 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and low back condition due to new and material evidence having been received. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA records from 1997 to 1998 and any non-VA treatment records. They are also asked to send the claim file to an audiologist for a delayed onset of hearing loss opinion and to another physician to provide opinions on service connection.