Knee decisions — 2023

The Board dismissed the appeals seeking earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee, PFB, and TBI (Head injury).,The Veteran's claims for service connection of left wrist de Quervain's tenosynovitis, bilateral shin splints, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for left ankle sprain.,The evidence did not support finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension since September 13, 2022.,A noncompensable rating is granted for limitation of flexion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right leg disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, chronic alopecia areata (hair loss), anxiety disorder, headaches, respiratory condition, neurological condition, fatigue, skin condition, and weight loss. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's left knee condition is caused by his service-connected right foot disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this secondary condition. The back condition claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee strains with patellofemoral pain syndrome due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinion, lack of treatment records from service, and need for additional private medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities as well as his TDIU claim due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The lumbar spine disability claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD is granted. The claim for right knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis is denied. The claim for tinnitus (secondary to service-connected disability) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for status post right knee arthroscopy with residual osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment on an extra-schedular basis prior to November 5, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations for his musculoskeletal disabilities and hearing loss. The claims are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right hip disability and bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome due to the need for additional development, including updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, has been rated at 10 percent since January 26, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for a left palm scar and service connection for a left knee disorder due to additional relevant evidence being associated with the file after the April 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of prior formal or informal claims filed before December 17, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a VA examination due to the Veteran's absence from the scheduled examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran has any objective signs of an unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, including joint pain affecting his knees, elbows, left hip, and neck.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms are considered, as well as his medical records from active duty.