Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefits records and VA treatment records from the Columbus CBOC prior to 2001 need to be obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effective immediately upon receipt by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various ankle, hip, and knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding preexistence and aggravation during service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee flexion and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient medical evidence from prior examinations. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right knee disorders due to their potential relationship with a service-connected right foot disability. The VA is instructed to obtain new examinations and opinions that consider the Veteran's lay reports regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve, left sciatic nerve, hemorrhoids, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, kidney stones, lip numbness, and gastrointestinal disorders have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and development regarding service connection for right knee disability, including secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his post-operative anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee was denied. The current disability rating remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left first metatarsal osteoarthritis, left hallux valgus, and right knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims were also remanded for further development.,Service connection was granted for right shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected neck disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right knee strain, which developed in service. However, service connection is not granted for GERD as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for new examinations and opinions to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee and foot conditions, including flare-ups and functional loss. The AOJ must obtain an independent medical expert (IME) opinion from a specialist in orthopedics.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information from a previous VA examination and because the SMC issue is inextricably intertwined with the right knee disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee chondromalacia patella is remanded due to the need for additional retrospective opinions based on the July 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.