Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of left and right knee disorders due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and radiculopathy, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various disability ratings and other claims before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability, which was initially granted as 100% and later reduced to 30%, is denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a higher rating under DC 5055.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain aggravation and direct service connection medical opinions.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for right knee instability, but has remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% and denied for an increased rating.,A separate 20% rating for the right knee meniscus tear, effective October 28, 2020, has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's in-service complaints of knee issues are related to his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for his service-connected cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee ACL disability due to inadequate examination and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee patellar enthesopathy, and asthma are all found to be related to service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition and left foot pes planus on the basis of in-service aggravation. The Veteran contends that his left knee disability is due to parachute jump landings, while his left foot pes planus was aggravated by multiple jumps during service.

The rating reduction for the service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osseous fragment at the tibial tuberosity from a 20 percent to a 10 percent rating effective August 4, 2017, was improper. Restoration of the 20 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,An effective date prior to December 26, 2017, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hypertension, glaucoma, a back disability, diabetes, and OSA have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities (right and left) and right shoulder disability are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to the lack of evidence of current disability. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and analysis.