Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment due to his back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee conditions. The decision grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right shoulder strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disorders, OSA, diabetes, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee, hip, and foot conditions as secondary to her service-connected back condition due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for increased ratings related to his service-connected psychiatric and orthopedic conditions. The Board has determined that these claims require additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence obtained from the Department of Defense and deficiencies in previous medical opinions. The case is now pending further examination and reconsideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be scheduled for examinations to determine whether he has current disabilities related to his in-service injuries and exposures, as well as a new examination to assess the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected allergic rhinitis and dermatophytosis. The appeals are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral shoulder condition, and a sleep disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, respiratory issues, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and lower back condition are remanded as there may be outstanding treatment records relevant to these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to the possibility of existing but unassociated medical evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is remanded because no VA examination has been conducted yet.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, secondary to PTSD, is remanded as there may be outstanding treatment records relevant to this claim.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability of the ankles or feet, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issues regarding right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and an inaccurate date in the service records. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again for a possible connection to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including service connection for various disabilities and an initial rating for lumbar back pain.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, hemorrhoids (including anal fissures), lumbar spine DJD and DDD, and left lower extremity neuralgia. The decision found that the pre-existing left knee disability did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression during active service, and there was no evidence of hemorrhoids or anal fissures during service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and chronic strains of both knees prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's left knee instability prior to February 7, 2021 was rated at 20 percent due to moderate instability. The Board found the evidence more nearly approximated the criteria for moderate instability and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's asthma is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Gulf War. The right knee and plantar fasciitis claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteopenia and remanded the pension benefits claim.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are granted with higher ratings, but his back condition claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DJD of the shoulders and knees, DDD of the lumbar spine, and bilateral radiculopathy, have rendered her incapable of providing basic care for herself. The Board has determined that she requires regular aid and attendance due to her physical and mental incapacities.