Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee tendinitis is granted as service connected. The cases of left knee disability and respiratory disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its March 2023 remand directives and thus the claims for higher ratings for back injury with spondylolisthesis and arthritis, as well as left knee chondromalacia patella, are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion to 80 degrees, and the Board finds this rating appropriate.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee, and right knee instability based on a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the March 2007 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left hip femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, right hip disability manifested by pain, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus with left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Multiple service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee conditions have been granted service connection, and a separate compensable rating for right knee instability has been awarded. The Veteran's request to withdraw her claim for a compensable rating for scar status post right knee surgery is accepted. Service connection has also been established for PTSD and major depressive disorder secondary to MST, as well as left knee condition and back condition secondary to service-connected right knee conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, is found to have started during his military service and has continued since. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to insufficient rationale in the April 2019 VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since April 20, 2018.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, stomach disability (IBS and acid reflux), and anemia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of prostate, erectile dysfunction, GERD, GI ulcer, and sleep condition are related to the Veteran's in-service stressors or symptoms.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right elbow epicondylitis, right sciatica, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's reports of pain during active duty have been considered, along with her STRs, to find that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to her service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of left ankle condition, right ankle condition, bilateral pes planus (also claimed as left foot condition), respiratory condition, left shoulder condition, left knee condition, neck/cervical spine condition, and lower back/spine/thoracic spine condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee conditions, and migraine headaches as the Veteran withdrew these claims in writing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and right knee conditions due to a duty-to-assist error in previous medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various shoulder and knee conditions due to a lack of VA examination, which is necessary to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including tenosynovitis, has been granted service connection. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the vision disability issue. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary), obstructive sleep apnea (secondary), fatigue disorder (Gulf War service), nasal condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal condition (due to Gulf War service), and headaches are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations or opinions.