Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, neck, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence supporting his assertions that these conditions were caused by in-service events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a direct relationship between any current psychiatric condition and service or service-connected disabilities. For left knee arthritis, ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher than 10 percent prior to August 31, 2021, and on the basis of limitation of flexion after that date.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disorders, both secondary to a service-connected left ankle condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the residuals of a stress fracture of the distal left femur was denied, and his separate claim for a higher evaluation for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for new examinations. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The effective date for the 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition remains April 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his knee disabilities due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases, as well as the need for updated examinations considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the cervical spine, left and right shoulders, and knees as secondary to his service-connected foot and ankle disabilities due to lack of a causal relationship.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee pain, right wrist condition, and right shoulder pain. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active-duty service.,All issues on appeal have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The claim for increased ratings for left and right hip disabilities is remanded. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and seizure disorder are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee pain, right knee pain, and lower back pain due to issues with the development and readjudication process.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran withdrew his claims seeking a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and service connection for various hip, knee, and inguinal hernia conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability, an increased evaluation for left knee strain with degenerative disc disease and limitation of flexion, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders. The cases are now remanded for further appellate review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions and need for additional development regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee, left ankle, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and ankle disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim based on need for aid and attendance, are being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records, conduct new examinations by orthopedic surgeons or orthopedists, address the impact of the Veteran's conditions on daily activities, and determine if he requires assistance with daily living.