Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal, bilateral knee, left shoulder, and back conditions due to inadequate opinions in the January 2020 VA examination reports.,Additional development is needed to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is also on appeal for a TDIU prior to June 19, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic bronchitis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of left knee condition, right knee condition, and foot disability has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for left wrist, right wrist, sinusitis, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee strain with degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia patella, finding that these conditions began in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and TMJ disorders. The matter must be remanded for a new VA examination to be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain and hemorrhoids secondary to his service-connected conditions has been granted. His left knee disability is rated at the highest possible rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral foot disability due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete verification of the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right wrist disability, right hand disability other than tremor, left elbow disability, and left hand disability are all granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The left knee condition claim is reopened, but further evidence is needed for the other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee and entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 12, 2019, for a separate 20 percent disability rating for left knee meniscal tear due to incomplete VA examinations and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand this case due to the need for an updated assessment by a VRC or CP regarding whether the Veteran's vocational goal is reasonably feasible and if changing his goal to pursue a master's or law degree is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee patella dislocation and pilonidal sinus due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs new examinations to address potential flare-ups in his right knee condition and sufficient information regarding his pilonidal sinus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient examination and treatment records. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities need further evaluation by VA medical professionals.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee condition, entitlement to TDIU, and eligibility for SAH due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination.