Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, due to his service-connected right ankle disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's right ankle disability is a proximate cause of his left knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders, as secondary to service-connected left leg neuritis. The Veteran needs a new medical opinion regarding whether his current disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as it has been over five years since the last examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action, including obtaining VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her arthritis. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) disease. The appeal is also remanded for further development on other issues.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis, right knee instability, and left knee postoperative degenerative symptoms of the meniscus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for an eye disability and increased ratings for right knee instability. The reduction in left knee instability rating from 10 to 0 percent was found improper.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, neck disability, back disability, carotid artery disease, heart disability (manifested by chest pain), and peripheral vascular disease due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The new opinions are required to address continuity of symptomatology and in-service complaints.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically related to flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right knee, right shin, and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete development and insufficient examination reports.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and vertigo. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of heart disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders. The claim for respiratory disorders was not addressed as it is considered a separate issue.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, left shoulder arthritis with bone spurs, right knee arthritis with bone spurs as secondary to a previous injury, and right elbow arthritis with bone spurs as secondary to residuals of a fracture. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate December 2021 VA examination and other previous examinations. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of the right knee disability, including flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of ampullary cancer and a right knee disability due to incomplete VA medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, low back pain, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling is denied as not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to procedural issues and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability status post hemipatellectomy, left total knee replacement prior to October 14, 2010. The November 2009 Board decision granted a separate 10 percent rating for this condition and is considered final.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral foot, wrist, ankle, knee, groin injury with residual erectile dysfunction, TBI with headaches, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service.