Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion by a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The rating for left knee instability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to service or a workplace injury in 2008.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development due to inadequate prior examinations and failure to provide estimates of range of motion loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including internal derangement with osteoarthritis and posttraumatic arthritis, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2021. Since August 1, 2021, the Veteran has been rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals of a left knee replacement surgery. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right knee disability, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar strain, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right and left ankle strains due to inconsistencies in the May 2019 VA examination reports regarding flare-ups and range of motion loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for left knee degenerative changes and failure to address left knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and denied service connection for all other conditions, including lung disability, upper extremity disorders, lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, kidney stones, benign prostate hypertrophy, low back disorder, hip disorders, and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, headaches, sleep apnea, and a right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence did not substantiate the presence of these conditions during or related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and review of all relevant evidence, including recent VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his lumbar spine disability and patellar tendinitis, as well as rating adjustments for his low back disability.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right great ingrown toenail is not rated higher than noncompensable.,For the appeal period prior to October 24, 2019, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied.,For the appeal period from December 1, 2020, a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's left ingrown toenail and thoracolumbar spine condition are not service-connected.,Service connection cannot be established for the Veteran's left ingrown toenail or thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee degenerative joint disease based on limited extension, flexion, and instability due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic calcification of the right knee and traumatic arthropathy of the left knee, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent prior to June 7, 2022, and denied for a compensable rating since that date.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, left upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity disability (including knee strain) are remanded.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including muscle pain and various joint and foot disabilities, are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection rules.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. A new VA examination is required to address the etiology of these conditions and their relationship to service.