Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee and right hip disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's service records indicate he served in Afghanistan, but no specific exposure basis is provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, including IT band syndrome. The claim will be returned for further examination and opinion.

A 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability throughout the period on appeal is granted.,A rating higher than 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral arthritis is denied.,A 10 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee patellofemoral arthritis with limitation of flexion is granted throughout the period on appeal.,A rating higher than 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral arthritis with limitation of extension as of November 15, 2021, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and restless leg syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for tinnitus, but his sleep apnea remains at the 50% level. Other conditions remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate nexus opinion and need for updated records. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis. The Veteran's appeal regarding the other issues is remanded due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and a lumbar spine condition, both of which are determined to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The left eyebrow linear scar remains at 10 percent. The ratings for right face and neck residual scars are remanded due to insufficient evidence. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete examination findings and lack of compliance with VA guidelines.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of the appropriate rating(s) to be assigned for the left total knee replacement performed in April 2019 pursuant to the rating criteria under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, foot, shoulder, and back disabilities due to incomplete adjudication of his claims. The AOJ is required to provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent lumbar strain, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, femoral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and left knee strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for one year prior to January 14, 2016. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disorders due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during active duty or any in-service injury. The VA examiner confirmed the presence of left knee osteoarthritis and tendinitis but found insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The appeal for service connection claims related to a respiratory disorder, chronic right knee disability, and bilateral shin splints are dismissed. The Veteran's heart disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation, including a retrospective opinion on the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities and his claim of gout.