Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for an intestinal condition, to include IBS, and generalized joint pain, to include orthopedic conditions of the right knee and bilateral hands. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a right knee condition, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple joints, are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain medical opinions on whether the Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee conditions are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient reasoning and basis in denying her increased rating for left knee instability, as well as her claim for a separate rating for left knee instability. The case is also being remanded for further development of the record regarding service connection for back pain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and denied his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims and the impact of obesity on his knee conditions.

The Veteran's lower back disability is granted a 20% rating for the period before November 14, 2018. For the period beginning November 14, 2018, a higher rating is denied. The left knee disability is granted a 20% rating for the period before November 14, 2018 and a higher rating is denied for the period beginning November 14, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran's military service included parachute jumps which may be relevant.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorders, finding that his right knee condition is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings and TDIU based on the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development regarding service connection for various conditions due to potential exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any left leg disorder, to include a knee disorder. The Veteran's service connection claim is not granted as his TDIU claim is moot due to his current combined schedular disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and missed VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling further medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip conditions and left knee disability due to inadequate development, including a need for an adequate medical examination.

The Board has found that a remand is required due to the inadequacy of the January 2017 VA examination and the need for additional evidence, including outpatient physical therapy records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and an examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a left shoulder scar, a higher rating for the left shoulder disability, and a higher rating for the right knee disability are remanded.

The Board has found that further remand is required due to the need for VA examinations and retrieval of VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, bilateral knee condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension are all being remanded.

The Veteran's left hand disability is granted service connection. The rating for his left knee strain with degenerative joint disease and the issues related to joint pain, skin disability, muscle fatigue, and heart disability are remanded for further development.