Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee disability claim is being remanded due to noncompliance with previous Board directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, spine, right foot, and right knee disorder (arthritis and replacement), as well as left foot hallux valgus. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the right and left thumbs.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to have begun during active duty.

The Veteran's right knee semilunar cartilage dislocation and instability are granted with a rating of 20 percent, while the left knee conditions receive appropriate ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess his right knee and right ankle disabilities. The effective date of service connection is also under review.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbance and bilateral knee disability are remanded due to insufficient examination reports that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including headaches, respiratory condition, sinusitis, thigh condition, ankle disabilities, shoulder disability, thumb disability, knee disability, gout, and gastrointestinal disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied, and the claim for entitlement to a compensable rating for dermatitis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist fracture, right wrist scar, residuals of right knee arthroscopic meniscal repair, and right knee scars. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding a lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and shoulder conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to procedural issues and the need for updated medical examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his knee disabilities and depressive disorder, are being evaluated to determine their impact on his employability.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for another evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability, including its manifestations such as 'locking,' pain, and effusion.

The Veteran's appeals for left and right knee conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claims of bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Depression, Anxiety), and lower back condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records development regarding the Veteran's service in Iraq and Kuwait.,Service connection for a right hip disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical records and personnel records from her Army Reserves service, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of motion and painful extension, was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 18, 2018. A separate 20 percent rating for meniscal tear is granted.

The Board denied a total disability rating for compensation due to service-connected disabilities, including the Veteran's left knee disability and acquired psychiatric condition. The decision was based on the evidence not showing he was unemployable prior to September 28, 2016.