Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for increased rating of tinnitus has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding service connection for bilateral knee arthroplasties as secondary to his ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran contends that his fall and injury were caused by his service-connected left knee giving out.

The Veteran is eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, and the appeal concerning a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his orthopedic conditions, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent, effective May 20, 2010. The Board has found the evidence to be in approximate balance as to whether the criteria for a higher rating are met.

The Veteran's left knee disability claims are being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to address the severity of his symptoms, including during flare-ups. The Veteran also has a separate claim for residuals of a quadriceps muscle tear which needs further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot disability and right knee disability due to missing service treatment records. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and myositis ossificans of the right thigh. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.,The Board also noted that the Veteran had been granted service connection for myositis ossificans of the right thigh.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability, sleep apnea, gout, hypertension, GERD, sinus disability, chest pains, left knee disability, and back disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and other issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for diabetes mellitus, Type II, neuropathy of the feet, and right knee arthritis. The rating for left elbow strain with bursitis is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities, as his conditions do not meet the legal criteria for payment at either rate.

The Board has decided that an addendum medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee degenerative changes and/or strain are related to his Baker's cyst, as well as to differentiate symptoms caused by each condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the May 2021 decision, including failure to address diagnostic tests and symptoms related to the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

Your service connection claims for bilateral foot and knee injuries have already been granted in full, so this matter is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee osteoarthritis on the basis of limitation of flexion and extension due to a new VA examination being necessary.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including his scar claim, knee conditions, erectile dysfunction, and psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a traumatic brain injury with headaches.

The Veteran's left knee impairment is granted as secondary to his right knee condition, effective March 31, 2017.