Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and left shoulder disorders are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Board will seek additional medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including migraine headaches, TBI, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, gout, right and left knee disabilities, and left shoulder disability. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent was granted for migraine headaches, but no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome with early degenerative changes, finding it related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his pes planus disability has been dismissed. The right knee, left knee, and back disability claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and headache disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The appellant served in active duty from December 1990 to May 1991 with a period of ACDUTRA from August 1976 to November 1976.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptomatology in service and post-service. Additionally, a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to active service. Finally, an opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral foot condition. Service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, bilateral foot, and left heel bone spur disabilities. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for low back condition and remanded the claims for left knee and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and the need for updated VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has found that the Veteran withdrew his claims of right toe disability, left shoulder disability, PTSD with PDD, painful scar, anal cyst scar, folliculitis skin rash, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities and addressing his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee condition was denied. The rating for cervical fracture of C4-5 status post fusion remains at 30 percent, and the ratings for right upper extremity and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy were adjusted based on new findings from November 2018 VA examination. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer condition was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory condition and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a right knee disorder, headaches, GERD, IBS, and disabilities of each hand. The cases are now remanded for further examination and rating actions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, additional development is needed as the current VA examination report does not provide a clear opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness condition/vertigo, low back disorder, left leg/shin disability, right knee disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, to include a right trapezoid disorder, is also remanded.