Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, cardiovascular disability, left Achilles tendon disability, left foot bone spur, and bilateral hearing loss. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to active service or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to September 4, 2020. A separate 10 percent rating for TBI residuals was also granted. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is now rated as higher than 50 percent after September 4, 2020. Other issues related to service connection were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional VA treatment records being associated with the claims file after a previous SSOC was issued.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of right knee disability, chronic kidney disease, diverticulitis, and Barrett's esophagus are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has found deficiencies in the March 2014 VRC assessment and is remanding for a new evaluation to determine if a vocational goal, including sedentary work, is feasible despite the Veteran's serious employment handicap.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities, as well as skin cancer and low back disability due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and requests a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar and thoracic spine, to include as associated with a left knee disability, is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The issues of whether this condition was incurred in or aggravated by service are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee strain have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, left ankle, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination reports.,New evidence received since the May 2011 rating decision includes diagnoses of bilateral knee strain, bilateral shoulder strain, left ankle strain, arthralgia of the shoulder and knee, and hypermobility syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating, but his claims for psychiatric, back, and right knee disabilities were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including a VA examination to assess its severity and manifestations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, hip, and knee conditions due to unclear dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as incomplete medical records. The Veteran will need to provide clarification on his Reserve service dates and obtain any missing VA or private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg, above the knee amputation was caused by negligence or lack of proper skill in providing medical treatment at the Columbus VA Medical Center. As a result, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is granted.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded three claims: neck disability, right knee disability, and nerve disability affecting the right upper extremity. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's low back condition and right knee osteoarthritis are now granted as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux abductovalgus with bunion.,The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus, type II, are also granted as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral hallux abductovalgus with bunion.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, limitation of extension, and dislocated semilunar cartilage due to a finding that separate ratings for these conditions violate VA General Counsel opinion.