Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and back disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has ordered a new examination of the Veteran's knees due to incomplete information in the July 2022 report, including lack of range of motion data during weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, clarify the Veteran's work history, and schedule a VA examination for his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. His initial rating for the right shoulder is also granted at 30 percent.

The Veteran's right ring finger disability is rated at the maximum noncompensable level due to traumatic arthritis, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 9, 2020. The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's right knee instability is separately rated at 10 percent.

Your appeal for service connection of right and left knee disabilities has been dismissed as you have withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is denied, but his DJD of both knees are granted. The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as the claim was not about service connection at all.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right knee injury, degenerative disc disease (claimed as cervical neck injury), and sleep apnea due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to obtain addendum medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and hip degenerative disease with hip replacement, as well as to consider any outstanding SSA records.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not comply with the August 2022 Board remand and has ordered additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral foot and wrist disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, vision disability, limitation of flexion and extension of the knees, left knee pain, right knee pain, and lower back conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for musculoskeletal symptoms of the knees and back due to insufficient development, including obtaining VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and his active service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 25, 2018. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from this date forward.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for his left knee disability and TDIU claim, finding that he is already in receipt of a maximum allowable rating (60%) for his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a supplemental VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee patella tendonitis with shin splints was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for a cervical spine condition was denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left knee injuries have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals.