Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, cervical strain, right hip status post arthroplasty, left hip status post arthroplasty, right foot arthritis, hammertoes, flat foot, tailor's bunion, metatarsalgia, and neurological disturbances, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The relationship to service is found in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal as to entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed.,Service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood prior to February 5, 2023, is granted. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.,Service connection for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The Veteran's GERD had its onset during service.,An initial 20 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,An initial 10 percent rating for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,A separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability is granted. The Veteran has experienced symptoms most nearly approximating moderate right knee instability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with muscle spasms, cervical spine, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left lower extremity varicose veins are all granted. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Veteran's heart disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, and allergy disability are not service-connected. However, hypertension is granted as a result of presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant reconsideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of recent VA examinations and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include right hand, right wrist, back, left knee conditions and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions due to insufficient examination findings. The initial compensable rating claim for left inguinal hernia scar remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee degenerative joint disease due to a lack of VA examination records, including those related to his May 2023 scheduled examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated based on flexion impairment and instability. The appeal for increased ratings remains pending.,Service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, residuals of prostate cancer, and hypertension are remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder. The claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and a thorough examination.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee arthritis with painful limitation of motion. The issue of TDIU prior to September 25, 2020 is remanded due to inadequate referral to VA's Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had pre-existing back, foot, and knee conditions prior to her ACDUTRA period. The right ankle disorder is also suspected of having a pre-service origin. As such, these claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition and a back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip impairment.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear with status post meniscectomy is granted a separate rating of 10 percent. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, including arthritis, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain an adequate VA examination that considers findings as to the nature of any dislocated semilunar cartilage symptomatology and to ensure all appropriate tests or studies are accomplished.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are not related to her active service, and therefore denied her claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for back degenerative arthritis, neck disability, right knee degenerative arthritis, and headaches as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.,Service treatment records showed isolated incidents of injury in service but no chronic disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus based on aggravation during active duty, but denied service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.