Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to additional evidence received after a previous SSOC. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, foot, hearing loss, and low back disabilities have been reopened. Bilateral knee and foot disabilities are granted, while the denial of bilateral shoulder disability remains unchanged.,Bilateral hearing loss and OSA claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his right knee disability and sleep apnea. Separate ratings may be assigned based on the findings.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during military service. The right knee disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a link between the condition and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as right and left hip disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for left and right knee conditions due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral ear disability as she withdrew her appeals prior to a decision being made. The claims of service connection for multiple sclerosis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's insomnia disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear with arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of additional limitations due to pain or instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his weight gain and if that weight gain contributed to his development of sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to conflicting opinions from a previous VA examiner and the need for further clarification.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is related to treatment in January 1992.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 10 percent rating for a painful left knee scar is granted. The Board found the evidence supported a finding that the scar was both painful and not associated with underlying soft tissue damage, warranting a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as inadequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The appeal for TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating for left knee disorder due to procedural issues, including failure to report for VA examinations. The Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to her service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's flexion contracture of the left fifth digit PIP has been granted an initial compensable rating.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder strain is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal on this issue.,Service connection for spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side and hypertension are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with intervertebral disc disease is rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was found to be less than 30 degrees.,The Veteran's right hip strain is rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating due to limitation of abduction with motion lost beyond 10 degrees, extension limited to 5 degrees, and flexion limited to 45 degrees.