Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided a new VA examination to discuss whether his right leg disability (right knee osteoarthritis) is related to service, including earlier surgeries and pre-service treatment. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his back and right knee disabilities due to issues with functional loss during flare-ups and neurological manifestations, as well as inadequate range of motion measurements in a recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to secondary service connection and TDIU claims. The Veteran's OSA is being reviewed again, and a new opinion on obesity as an intermediate step in causing or aggravating his OSA is needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the claims for service connection of left knee disability and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's reports of in-service injury and chronic pain are credible. The Board also found no evidence to rebut the presumption that his right knee disability became manifest during combat service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI, right knee disorder, low back disorder, PTSD, headaches, and skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records from Carney Hospital.

Service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral foot numbness has been denied.,Service connection for migraine headaches was granted with a 30% evaluation.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination of the Veteran's right knee disability, as the previous private examination was deemed inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability based on aggravation during active duty, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and headache disorders due to deficiencies in the VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence showing a factually ascertainable increase in the year prior to February 10, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no current diagnosis or established link to service.,Right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis were also denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted, including a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected conditions. The initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residual scar associated with right knee disability were denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for back condition has been granted. Service connection is also established for tinnitus.,Issues related to increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for back condition, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to properly rate the Veteran's service-connected femur fracture fixation with intramedullary rod and screws, limitation of extension of the right thigh, and limitation of flexion of the right thigh. The issues of entitlement to higher disability evaluations for painful scar of the right lower extremity and scarring of right thigh and right knee, an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for painful scar of the right lower extremity, and a TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for blood poisoning of left and right leg, shrapnel, and arthritis of left and right knee due to a lack of current medical evidence supporting these conditions.