Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current knee conditions. The VA must obtain additional records, including those from Dr. T.H., and provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's knee disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to service connection and other claims, resulting in the dismissal of these cases.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as presumptively related to his service in Southwest Asia. The left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical nexus opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new private treatment records and a scheduled right knee surgery, requiring further review by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative changes has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for this condition, effective August 22, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee patellar tendonitis with arthritis due to errors in obtaining certain records, including from King's Daughter's Medical Center and Dr. John E. Turba.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as well as their functional impairment. The new examinations must consider the ameliorative effects of medication used to treat these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 10, 2014 for service connection were denied as the claims were not timely filed or supported by new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend a VA examination, and requests a medical opinion based on the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for status post total right knee replacement from May 3, 2022, forward has been denied as the maximum allowable rating of 60 percent has already been assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a breathing disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper notice for a VA examination, and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the development conducted does not comply with prior remand directives and has therefore ordered additional VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA opinion obtained in December 2022 is inadequate and remands the case for a new adequate VA etiology opinion to be obtained.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been denied as service connection is not established.,A 70% rating for PTSD has been granted, but the Veteran's TBI claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records. The Board will review all evidence, including new records, and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate reasoning and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20% for instability and granted a separate 10% rating for limitation of flexion. A new 10% rating was also granted for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left ankle strain, as well as his claim for a gastrointestinal disability. The cases are being returned to the AOJ for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, but the claim for a right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.