Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinnitus, asthma, and sinus condition were denied in previous rating decisions. The claim for headaches was granted.,The Veteran's claims for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, back condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to deficiencies in prior examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent based on limitation of flexion, as their flexion was always at least 30 degrees or more.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral knees and left hand, finding no current diagnosis or link to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unavailability of his STRs and need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis.,Claims for increased ratings for left and right knee extension were denied, with the highest rating granted being 40%.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including plantar fasciitis, bilateral ankle disorders, neck disorder, shin splints, left knee disorder, athlete's foot, hand disorders, and back disorders. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic disease, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, migraines, tinnitus, scar, and hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new medical evidence being added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The VA must now review and consider this additional evidence before making a decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, specifically to obtain any personnel records related to courts martial and DUI proceedings. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, back disability, neck disability, and right shoulder tendinopathy with strain are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, bilateral ankle disabilities, right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder tendinopathy, right elbow disability, and left elbow lateral epicondylitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a RLE neurological condition has been reopened due to new evidence. The hearing loss and PTSD claims have been denied, while the TBI and related conditions (headaches) are remanded. The right knee and foot conditions remain in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his employment from January 2016 to March 2019 was considered marginal due to a work-related motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for left-hand and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee replacement and right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The SMC issue is remanded as it cannot be adjudicated until the initial ratings and effective dates are assigned.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Issues related to service connection, disability ratings, and effective dates are being remanded.