Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disorder, left calf disorder, and right knee disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions. The VA will need to verify all periods of service, obtain STRs and SPRs, and provide new VA examinations to determine if the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before final adjudication of the claims on appeal, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence linking the current left knee disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The conditions are found to be related to in-service occurrences.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, dry eye syndrome, right knee disorder, and tinnitus as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues are seeking higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The reduction in the evaluation of right knee instability from 30% to 10% is proper, and restoration of a separate 10% rating for painful, limited flexion is granted. The initial ratings for degenerative joint disease and meniscus repair, as well as for each specific condition (instability, painful, limited flexion, and painful, limited extension), are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent based on residual of his meniscectomy, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether his current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee conditions did not manifest in service or within a year of active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection itself remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to potential worsening of his bilateral knee condition, PTSD, lumbosacral spine disability, and TDIU. The Veteran is also required to provide VA with any outstanding treatment records from the Prescott VA and Phoenix VA.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, right knee condition, left knee condition, and vertigo due to incomplete development. The Veteran's request for a hearing was withdrawn, and the Court ordered further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for traumatic arthritis of his right shoulder and left knee are being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia and PTSD, has been reopened.,A 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with limitation of flexion is restored from August 12, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of extension is granted since December 3, 2018. A 30 percent rating for subluxation of the right knee is granted starting from December 3, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine current severity of right knee disabilities, including post-total knee replacement ratings.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, left knee disability, and esophageal disability (Barrett's esophagus).,Service connection was granted for cluster headaches.,TDIU claim was dismissed due to lack of response from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear ratings for the Veteran's left thumb scar and needs clarification on the effective dates of the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to May 20, 2020 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For the period from May 20, 2020 onward, the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.