Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot osteoarthritis with calcaneal spurs and bilateral pes planus, bilateral ankle degenerative arthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also granted for non-allergic rhinitis and sleep apnea, both of which had their onset during the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the left knee increased rating claim due to insufficient range of motion testing results. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the left knee claim and will be deferred until the left knee issue is resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 21, 2004 do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board also denied his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance prior to March 10, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of recent medical records and a need for clarification on the etiology of her diagnosed conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer hearing.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary to ensure compliance with the duty to assist, as required. The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, total right knee arthroplasty, musculoligamentous strain with ligamentous laxity, left knee, and left knee patellofemoral and medial compartment degenerative disease are remanded.

The Board has found that the duty to assist this Veteran has not been fulfilled and a remand is required to acquire outstanding private medical records related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal conditions have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment since September 30, 2016. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing onset or relationship to service.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right lower extremity and left knee disorders, as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to April 4, 2017 due to insufficient evidence indicating whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's VR&E services are being remanded due to a significant change in her disability picture and an increase in severity of her service-connected disabilities, necessitating further evaluation by a VRC or other VR&E specialist.

The Veteran's right knee strain and instability have been rated based on their severity. The Board has determined that the current evidence does not reflect the current state of his disabilities, necessitating a new VA examination to assess the extent of his injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right hip, leg/knee, and neurological conditions, as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also being asked to provide tax returns to support his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea prior to May 4, 2018 is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and decisions need to be reviewed again, as per previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the left (minor) elbow, prior to July 24, 2020; and for rheumatoid arthritis of the right (major) elbow, since July 24, 2020. The appeal is also denied for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of other joints including left shoulder, wrist, foot, knee, ankle, hip.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records from a 2017 motor vehicle accident that may provide information about the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hip disorders, as well as radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The issues are related to whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.