Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded three issues: evaluating left knee degenerative joint disease, service connection for left and right ankle disorders secondary to the bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in August 2022 are inadequate and requires further examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his military service. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The issues of service connection for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, hemorrhoids, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, lumbar disc disease and strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee tendonitis, and generalized anxiety disorder are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee DJD, a left knee scar, and left knee instability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the other rating claims.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The VA is instructed to obtain authorization and request relevant private treatment records from the Veteran's former employment with the Bureau of Prisons and his current primary physician. Additionally, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to identify any current disabilities and determine if they are related to his military service or his service-connected left hip tendonitis and left thigh limitations.

The Board denied service connection for left, right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination for the right knee condition, and the Veteran's claim is sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's right knee replacement claim was withdrawn by the Veteran in his hearing testimony. Claims for left knee degenerative arthritis, anxiety disorder, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have not been fully developed and requires additional development before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his left knee conditions, including a separate compensable rating for cartilage condition and earlier effective dates for limitation of extension and flexion.

The Veteran's right knee arthralgia, palindromic rheumatism was granted a 20% disability rating from September 28, 2022. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed joint pain condition, right knee disability, and genitourinary disability. The Veteran is requested to undergo further examination and obtain medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on several issues, including service connection claims and a rating for left foot conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to evaluate her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; back disability; right knee disability; left knee disability; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection and increased ratings, as well as earlier effective date claims for the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each condition were inadequate and remanded these issues back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.