Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied due to her failure to report for the scheduled examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA opinion. The original denial was based on lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, opioid use disorder, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records. The AOJ will review these records and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection of a sleep disorder is granted. The claims for service connection of left knee condition and low back disability are remanded. The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from when his claim was received.

The Veteran's claim for ED was denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity associated with the condition.,Claims for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, tension headaches, scars, and knee disabilities were all denied due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to April 30, 2017.

The Board has remanded several issues including the evaluation for PTSD, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bilateral knee and hip conditions, and TDIU. The AOJ must review the newly added VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chest pain due to service connection. The issues are being returned for further development as the VA examiners did not adequately address the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, hip, shin splints, knee, and psychiatric disabilities are not adequately addressed by the VA examinations provided. Therefore, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's right knee disability. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disorders are related to his in-service diagnosis of chronic left patella subluxation.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 20, 2019 due to his service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's testimony and VA treatment records will be considered in determining the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and right knee condition due to insufficient development in previous VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the claims of sarcoidosis and TBI. The case is now back at the Board.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) at rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2), as his service-connected disabilities render him in need of a higher level of care without which he would require residential institutional care.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and its aggravation by her service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional evidentiary development due to a significant change in his employment status and the need to reassess whether he has an employment handicap or serious employment handicap.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limitation of motion, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder was not granted. The appeal is denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for entitlement to service connection for low back and neck disorders were granted.