Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for musculoskeletal pain and arthritis of the feet, shoulders, knees, and neck based on a lack of objective evidence within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and his claims for degenerative disc disease of the spine and bilateral knee arthritis were denied. Service connection for flat feet with bunions is not supported by evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility prior to July 26, 2022 are also granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires additional remand to obtain substantial compliance with the September 2020 remand directives.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew it through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, hypothyroidism, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disability claims have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected IVDS. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, and bilateral foot disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee pain and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay testimony and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left hand disability and service connection for his right knee disorder due to outstanding VA examinations and lack of addendum medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety, is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. His left knee scar is granted a 10 percent evaluation for being painful or unstable. The right knee disability is granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for right knee instability, but denied a higher rating for painful motion. The Veteran's knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded both issues of entitlement to an increased rating for right knee patella alta and TDIU due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist, right wrist, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disorders have been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disorder has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection, while the left shoulder disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected low back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 1, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, and left knee disorders. The Veteran's right knee disorder was not found to be related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ear hearing loss, OSA, psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's service records indicate he had noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations.