Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded three issues: right knee disability, low back disability, and carcinoid tumor/well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all four issues related to service connection for left knee arthritis, GERD, hypertension, and G-6PD deficiency before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee torn ACL, back disability, and headaches due to potential etiological links to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for a visual disability, right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to the right knee), and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, a left upper extremity disability, and tinnitus.,Service connection is also remanded for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee lateral instability since February 9, 2021 is granted. The claim for a higher rating before that date and the TDIU claim are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering his entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's right knee disability, resulting in chronic residuals of a prosthetic knee replacement with severe painful motion and weakness, has been granted a 60 percent rating since April 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and initial rating determinations. The main reasons are due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right hip, PFB, and HTN disorders as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to failure to properly notify him of scheduled examinations and obtain etiology opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee bursitis, left knee bursitis, and low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorders, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential service connection based on in-service symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for right and left foot, ankle, knee, and hip disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected mild lumbosacral strain.

The Board has found that the RO did not substantially comply with its previous remand directives and requires further development to ensure a complete record for decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the right knee degenerative arthritis status post total knee arthroplasty and TDIU prior to January 10, 2022. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's left knee flexion is rated at 10% and extension is non-compensable. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for left knee instability, but the issue of an initial compensable rating for left knee extension remains denied.