Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased disability evaluation for sinusitis, service connection for a left knee disorder, and service connection for allergic rhinitis as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that it is proximately due to or caused by their service-connected left hip injury. The case is remanded for a VA examination to assess additional impairment from the service-connected fractures.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, but remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's knee and foot conditions have been remanded for further examination and opinion. His TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to additional development being necessary.,For the issue of service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the October 2020 x-ray report showing degenerative joint disease of the right ankle and the Veteran's November 2023 statement about continuing pain in his legs.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether any left knee disability is related to service. The Veteran's lay statements about symptoms since service are considered, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and headache disorders are granted service connection. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity disorder (to include radiculopathy), and bilateral hip disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Board has found that the remand directives have not been substantially accomplished and requires further development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board has also remanded the matters regarding service connection for low back, left hip, and right hip disabilities, as well as TDIU prior to April 4, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for hypertension, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7101, while her bilateral knee disabilities were evaluated based on limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's back disability and lower extremity neuropathies caused or aggravated his knee conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current knee disorders and diabetes mellitus. The claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and diabetes mellitus are REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected condition rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability was denied, and his lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% rating effective June 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for non-degenerative arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis is denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet, and hammer toe of the left foot second toe as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. ,Service connection is granted for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's claim for gout, other than gout of the fingers and thumbs remains pending due to lack of evidence regarding its onset in service or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for hammer toes other than the second toe of the left foot is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, to include arthritis, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left ankle disorder.,Service connection was also denied for a left hip disorder in this decision.