Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is still necessary prior to the adjudication of the current appeal for service connection claims related to knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as a migraine headache. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to submit necessary authorizations to obtain private medical records and attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar of the mid low back is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine and tension headaches, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, sciatic radiculopathy of the left leg, sciatic radiculopathy of the right leg, finger joint pain, left knee condition, and right knee condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a separate rating for right knee instability and increased ratings for bilateral ankle tendinitis and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, with the left knee disability also receiving a 30 percent rating effective from February 22, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination related to his diabetes mellitus. The issues of service connection for impotence, neuropathy, nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease, amputation of the right second toe, and amputation of the left lower leg below the knee are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.

The Veteran's migraines and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left knee condition and right knee condition are denied as service connected.,The Veteran's psoriasis and bilateral foot condition are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, including arthritis and chondromalacia patella, began during his military service and have continued since then. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left knee total replacement is granted, with the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent from January 1, 2012 to October 4, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alcoholism was dismissed. The Board also remanded several other issues, including PTSD with depressive disorder, surgical scars of the right ankle, status post fracture of right ankle with ORIF, tendonitis of the left knee, actinic keratosis, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD related to military service.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the onset likely during service aboard the U.S.S. Bataan.,Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss due to potential noise exposure in service.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded for left knee disability and right knee disability.

The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee limitation of extension from January 10, 2020 to October 15, 2021.,A 10 percent disability rating is also granted for the meniscal condition effective January 10, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and physical disabilities separately result in her requiring regular aid and attendance from another person, warranting a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis and flat feet due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to service-connected residuals of a brown recluse spider bite, an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for TBI (excluding migraine headaches), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the need for additional development. The Board also directed VA to obtain relevant medical records and provide another VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis. The claims for right knee osteoarthritis and right ankle condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 9, 2012 to September 13, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including those involving his right hand condition, bilateral knee conditions, tinnitus, head injury residuals, headaches, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The reasons for remand include inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability is granted, but the issue of secondary service connection to his low back disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder condition and a left knee condition as there is no evidence of current disabilities or persistent symptoms related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right shoulder, back, knee, ankle, and foot conditions are all found to be etiologically related to his active service.