Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities, finding that there is relative equipoise in whether the right knee disability was caused by the left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions provided are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing new examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded to determine if the Veteran has a current disability related to her in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to obtain VA medical opinions and updated treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide any outstanding pertinent records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shin splints and an increased rating for right knee limitation of extension were both denied. The denial on the shin splints claim is final, as no new and material evidence was received within one year of the August 2004 decision. The right knee disability claim remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, particularly whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for heart disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded due to incomplete military personnel and service treatment records. The appellant is also advised that any outstanding VA and private treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her depressive disorder and right knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of her right leg, bilateral knee, and thoracolumbar spine disorders. The VA is required to obtain a medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for the issues of service connection for various upper and lower extremity conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for reopening her claims of service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee disorders.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability as these issues have been fully granted with effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 10, 2020 due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating prior to October 26, 2021, and denied for higher ratings. The right knee strain issue remains on appeal with the need for additional examination. Service connection for left knee strain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disabilities and TDIU due to the Veteran not reporting to scheduled VA examinations. The matter will be further adjudicated after obtaining updated medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with instability and generalized anxiety disorder due to new evidence indicating a worsening of these conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and kidney stones, finding no evidence of direct service connection or any other valid theory.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and service treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and hemorrhoids, but has found that new evidence is insufficient to grant these claims. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities. Service connection for a right foot disability separate from the already service-connected plantar fasciitis with flat feet is also granted.