Knee decisions — 2023

Your claims for service connection have been granted, and the disabilities are now rated as per the RO's decision. The appeals are dismissed because the benefits sought on appeal have already been awarded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left hip limitations of extension and adduction prior to July 18, 2022, right hip limitations of extension and adduction prior to July 18, 2022, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left knee injuries previously claimed as softening of the kneecap and snapping leg tendon, and for back injury. The case is remanded for further development regarding these issues.

The Board has decided that Hepatitis C is service connected, but the issues of right knee and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and right wrist conditions have been denied due to failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use assistive devices and other conditions contributing to his ambulation difficulties.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to May 8, 2019. From May 8, 2019 to May 31, 2022, his combined rating was 40%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and to ensure that all necessary information is obtained. The claims are being returned due to potential exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities have been granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The decision is based on the current symptoms and limitations of motion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to procedural issues, including the improper use of a form for filing an appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee pain, PTSD, and hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues have been reopened for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions and Bell's palsy are remanded due to need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as lumbar spine disability, need to be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's complaints of knee pain during service and continuous symptoms since then are considered credible.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the records regarding when certain claims were filed and addressed. The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection awards, but there are discrepancies in the documentation.

Service connection for left knee disability, including knee medial meniscal symptoms and degenerative joint disease, is granted as secondary to service-connected right total knee arthroplasty.,Service connection for PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted, but the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement regarding the assigned rating or effective date. As such, the Board dismissed the issue due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain and patellofemoral arthritis due to insufficient medical evidence at this time. A new examination is needed, along with a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to back, left knee, OSA, digestion condition, painful joints, fatigue, and skin conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, a VA examination is required to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, skin disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to the need for additional development including obtaining treatment records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, bloating, impaired coordination, arthritis of the joints, shortness of breath and GERD conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions.