Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for additional information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to procedural issues, including failure of VA examiners' opinions to address continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability, to include patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendonitis, and knee instability, as secondary to his service-connected residuals of left tibia fracture disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, including whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected right knee or right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity residuals of gunshot wound affecting Muscle Group XI are currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and limitation of extension due to outstanding private treatment records not having been obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, panic attacks, insomnia, general anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder, is granted effective April 27, 2010. The earlier effective date for service connection of left and right knee conditions is also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that it is etiologically related to his active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and extension was denied. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 10 percent assigned under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each, effective from September 9, 2016. The conditions are rated under the criteria for degenerative arthritis with dislocated cartilage.

The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is determined to be secondary to his service-connected Right Knee Disability and Psychiatric Disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for PTSD. The left and right knees are currently rated as 10% disabling each, but the Veteran asserts entitlement to higher ratings.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been granted a 20% rating for the period beginning June 11, 2021. The left and right knees are rated separately.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a left knee disability, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities, as well as left knee and right ankle disabilities secondary to these conditions. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cardiovascular disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, foot, and knee conditions. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,There are no medical opinions linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's OSA is related to service and granted. The Board found that the right knee pain, left knee pain, and patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee) are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the examiner's opinions regarding service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran is seeking direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and thus, both claims for an increased rating for left knee disability and service connection for sleep apnea are being returned to the RO for further development.