Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for major depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for internal derangement of the right knee prior to April 15, 2011 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain VA and private treatment records, including from Tampa VAMC and non-VA providers. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for left knee instability is now pending again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no causal relationship to service. The Board also found that secondary service connection based on back pain could not be granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of left knee gunshot wound is granted. However, his claims for bilateral toe fungus and right ear hearing loss are denied.,The Veteran was granted service connection for the residuals of a left leg/left knee GSW but denied service connection for bilateral toe fungus and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed spinal or knee disability is related to service, including a fall during training exercises.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete examination findings and failure to consider the use of medication during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of information about the qualifications of the examiners who conducted the September 2014 VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is not entitled to a presumption of service connection based on exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, or Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for back, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, bronchitis (also claimed as respiratory complaints and shortness of breath), and bilateral arm conditions due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's initial rating for insomnia disorder has been increased to 50 percent, effective from August 28, 2017. A TDIU was granted from August 28, 2017, until June 24, 2019.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and right knee disabilities secondary to a service-connected left knee total arthroplasty. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence showing that the current conditions are related to active service or the service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including a thoracolumbar spine disorder, lower extremity pain, psychiatric disorders, hip, and knee issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injuries. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral eye traumatic angle recession with pigmentary dispersion, peripheral vestibular disorder, PTSD with TBI, lumbosacral strain, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee strain, and right hip degenerative joint disease are all granted. The rating for the peripheral vestibular disorder is increased to 30 percent prior to June 15, 2022. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI remains at a 70 percent rating. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent. The right shoulder degenerative joint disease and right knee strain are both denied higher ratings. The right hip degenerative joint disease based on limitation of flexion is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the May 2017 examination report, and a new retrospective opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding whether there was permanent worsening of his pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of flexion and extension prior to August 31, 2016, and total knee replacement from November 1, 2017 to June 1, 2022, is rated at the maximum schedular rating (60%) without violating the amputation rule. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.