Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and clarification of certain medical information. The issues include evaluating left knee disability, including pain in weight-bearing, use of medication, and flare-ups, as well as service connection for primary vitiligo which was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The medical evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and his service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a left knee disability, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The remand requires new VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address his current symptoms and diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims in a written correspondence.

The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU from May 31, 2018. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and foot disorders, as well as shoulder disorders, all secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective October 24, 2019. Ratings for left and right knee disabilities are denied prior to June 16, 2015, and granted from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to additional VA treatment records that have not been reviewed by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including right knee arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis, and lumbar spine disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy, and left knee disability are rated at 20 percent each. The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating since July 3, 2013, and SMC at the housebound rate from November 17, 2016 to December 19, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, hip disability, and knee disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records will be reviewed, along with any additional medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions did not originate in service or due to a pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The evidence showed no chronic knee symptoms during service and no clear progression of any knee issues post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disability and a disability manifested by chronic muscle fatigue due to insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent for the period from September 19, 2013, to July 1, 2021. For the period after July 1, 2021, a rating greater than 30 percent is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and requests for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's current hip and knee disorders and his service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities, as the existing VA examinations were deemed inadequate.