Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee status post meniscus injury is being remanded due to the need for an in-person examination to assess functional loss and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its previous decision, specifically regarding the VA examinations used for rating the Veteran's left knee disability prior to July 27, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to inadequate VA examinations and deficiencies in the January 2022 decision. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are at issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and new evidence. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, accounting for all instances of right knee pain while in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, left knee disability, and left ankle disability were evaluated. The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking it to service-connected PTSD. For the left knee disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied from April 19, 2011, to June 26, 2014; a rating in excess of 30 percent was denied from August 1, 2015, to November 25, 2022; and a rating in excess of 60 percent was denied from November 26, 2022. The Veteran's left ankle disability received a 20 percent rating. A TDIU was also denied prior to November 19, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for clarification of opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to various service-connected disabilities, including diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his injury in service in 1977.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the grant of maximum schedular rating for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss. The Board also finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current left knee condition or PTSD are related to his military service, thus remanding these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and wrist disorders due to uncertainty regarding the diagnosis and etiology of his conditions, as well as lack of probative medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, hip, and hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on this current appeal, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Panama and any other relevant medical records. The Veteran should also be provided an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board has determined that a Statement of the Case (SOC) must be issued because the Veteran initiated his appeal on an incorrect form. The issues will now be remanded for issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 16, 2019, for moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking increased ratings for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities.