Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 30% and a separate rating of 10% for right knee instability has been granted. The Board finds the Veteran's condition warrants remand to determine if there are additional conditions present in his right knee that would warrant separate ratings.,The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, which is currently rated at 30%. He also seeks a separate rating for his right knee instability, which he reports as being constant and affecting his daily activities.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right knee, left knee, or skin disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right wrist condition, left knee condition, and low back strain due to inadequate examinations and need for further diagnostic testing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, shin splint, and ankle disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate prior examinations. The case will be returned to the Board after additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's April 2019 VA Form 10182 constitutes a valid and timely legacy appeal for service connection for neck, back, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip conditions and a left knee condition due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, the right hip degenerative arthritis and residuals of status post hip joint replacement are being remanded for addendum opinions addressing whether they are related to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and updated VA treatment records, private examinations, lay statements, and articles being added to the claims file. The RO must consider this additional evidence in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is to be provided with new VA examinations and addendum opinions regarding his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding insufficient medical nexus evidence to support a secondary service connection claim. The case will be returned for further development including obtaining additional treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted a 10% disability rating, effective as of the date of decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received from Orthopedic One Surgery Center. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee condition is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to confusion over which foot is affected and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's right foot disability, including arthritis, may be related to his military service. His right knee disability may also be related to his right foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current knee pain is related to his active duty service. The evidence supports a finding of at least a 10% disability rating within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for various knee conditions and instability have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to lack of diagnosed condition and functional impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent prior to October 19, 2022, and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.,The issues of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, bronchial asthma, and COPD are remanded due to insufficient development regarding the Veteran's exposure history and medical opinions.,TDIU prior to December 9, 2020 is remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of the other service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted as directed and thus the issues must be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and right leg pain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision also notes that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy overlaps with his right leg pain symptoms.

The Veteran's MDD is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective April 5, 2018. The Veteran's TDIU claim for the entire period on appeal is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions due to a lack of authorization for private medical records.,VA is required to request authorization from the Veteran to obtain any relevant private treatment records.