Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent disabled for a service-connected left knee disorder, service connection for sinusitis, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to scheduling issues and the need for updated VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's left knee instability and degenerative arthritis are rated at different levels based on the period of time. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and its relation to his service. The VA will need to search for missing records, including those from his separation examination and treatment at Dorn VA Medical Center between 1987 and 1990.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.,The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal. Specifically, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard service and verify his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's right C5-6 radiculopathy, claimed as a 'right arm' disorder, is granted service connection and is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's hearing loss, migraine headaches, PTSD, and left hip disability. The effective date of service connection remains unresolved.

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 knee disabilities and his military service. The COPD claim was remanded due to lack of recent pulmonary function testing.

The Veteran's back, left knee, and major depressive disorder have been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded for further examination to determine if his erectile dysfunction is related to these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia patella as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. The Board notes that the claims for left knee condition and back condition are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee osteoarthritis disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service complaints of bilateral knee pain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, attributing the findings to direct service connection due to in-service injuries.

The Board has ordered additional examinations for the Veteran's knees and scars due to recent surgeries, as well as the need for VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining a VHA determination on eligibility for dental treatment and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed dental disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing aggravation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a left knee disability and has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Veteran's right knee condition is aggravated by his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.