Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including higher ratings for depression with anxiety disorder and TBI, as well as propriety of reduction in right shoulder and headache ratings. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar arthralgia are being remanded for additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the April 2021 decision and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings of right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it relates to a period prior to December 31, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a retrospective opinion regarding functional limitations during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding his service connection claims. The issues include hallux valgus of the bilateral great toes and intractable plantar keratosis, bilateral knee disabilities, unequal length of the right leg, hypertension, dry eye syndrome, hemorrhoids, left shoulder disability, and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia have been granted at 10 percent. Separate 10 percent ratings have also been granted for left and right knee instability. Service connection has been remanded for several conditions, including shoulder disorders, ankle disorder, foot onychomycosis, TBI residuals, and PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and headache disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after his military service. The Board also found that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis. The issue of service connection for an extrinsic respiratory defect is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, finding that his preexisting knee conditions were not aggravated by or related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to procedural errors and to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's stress fractures of the left and right tibia, as well as his knee and ankle conditions, have been granted increased ratings. Service connection has also been established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and adjudicative action due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has denied reopening of the claims for service connection for left hip arthritis, left knee arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence relating these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient medical records, specifically physical therapy records for the right knee and right shoulder. The Veteran is asked to provide or authorize release of any missing private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for COPD. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder are denied. The claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral lower extremity disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Appellant's testimony and medical records will be reviewed to determine if there is a link between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a left knee disorder before the Board could make a decision.