Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to December 2, 2016. The Board found that her symptoms associated with her service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow substantial employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a left knee disability, kidney dysfunction, and loss of upper front teeth. The Veteran's statements in his notice of disagreement indicate that he experienced injuries to these conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent, effective June 1, 2021.,The Veteran's right shoulder cuff tendinitis with rotator cuff tear and AC separation is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as he was able to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, even though his service-connected disabilities caused him some functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral inguinal hernia repair was dismissed as the Veteran explicitly requested withdrawal.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was also dismissed as the Veteran and his representative withdrew the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine condition, right knee condition, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition. The Veteran's other conditions have been rated based on their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's disability existed prior to service and was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition and whether it is related to service, including parachute jumps. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a medical expert.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) was denied. The Board found that the increase in MDD did not occur within one year of the July 25, 2016, claim.,Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and knee conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, sinus, and back conditions due to a lack of VA examinations or etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, including migraine variants and tension headaches, was denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to his service-connected PTSD with MDD.,Claims for increased ratings for scars on both knees were also denied due to lack of evidence showing they meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected disabilities, including right leg varicose veins, PTSD, left knee meniscal tear, and postoperative left knee scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion regarding her claimed bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, left knee condition, right knee condition, low back condition, left hip condition, and right hip condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee and left knee disabilities are rated based on their current functional limitations, with no additional service-connected conditions considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions. The Veteran's service connection claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further examinations and opinions regarding his right ankle disability, low back pain, left knee strain, and right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, wrist, elbow, and knee disabilities as well as a neck disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.