Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a chest pain condition, left knee disability (including as secondary to right knee disability), acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and COPD due to additional VA medical records being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's right knee and lumbar disc herniation and IVDS disabilities are granted. The left knee disability is remanded for a new examination, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various knee conditions and a lumbar spine disorder due to his request to withdraw these claims prior to the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's right knee medial instability and lumbosacral spine disability have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a 20% rating. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy caused or aggravated his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and left foot hallux valgus. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted a noncompensable rating, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for right knee disability, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding VA treatment records. Separate compensable ratings are also being considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his knee disabilities.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability, but not higher, throughout the appeal period. The decision finds that moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability is shown and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate examinations and new evidence is needed. The issues include lumbar strain, right hip strain (impairment), right knee strain, left knee status post ACL repair and arthroscopy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and right and left knee disorders have been granted.,Service connection is denied for asbestosis.

The Veteran's right knee DJD has been rated at 10 percent since February 1, 2011, through October 5, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show limitation of motion consistent with a higher rating.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee torn medial meniscus is denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for symptomatic residuals from the right knee meniscectomy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and lack of verification regarding combat incidents in Germany. The Veteran is requested to provide information about his combat experiences during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is required to provide additional information regarding his employment status, complete VA Form 21-8940, and undergo retrospective findings from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse prior to January 4, 2019, is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of a higher rating for left knee disability and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined nature.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left knee and bilateral hip disorders. The remaining issues have been remanded for additional development.

Service connection is granted for right knee disability, tinnitus, hammer toe of the right foot, and headache condition.,Service connection is denied for urinary disability and gastrointestinal disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition, and that the current diagnosis is not related to service or any in-service injury.