Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence was not in 'approximate balance' or 'nearly equal' with the evidence supporting his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, as these conditions are claimed to be related to her right knee disability. The VA will provide additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for left total knee arthroplasty and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate development. The Veteran's left knee disability may be related to service, but a definitive opinion is needed regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's right knee strain and left knee degenerative joint disease have been granted increased ratings, but the right knee strain limitation of extension has not. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU during the relevant period.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia patella are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's left knee condition has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on instability or range of motion limitations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability prior to October 1, 2021 is denied. The current rating of 10 percent does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The claim for service connection for headaches, right knee disability, and tinnitus has been reopened and granted to the extent of these issues.,The claim for service connection for a respiratory disability (lung damage) is denied due to lack of current diagnosis or functional impairment.,A rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded as no VA examination was conducted in conjunction with this claim.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded as the incident basis for the claim has not been corroborated.,The claims for service connection for a right hand disability and right wrist disability are remanded due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder (osteoarthritis and instability) as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a ruptured ACL and torn meniscus of the right knee, finding that the prior opinion was inadequate due to its failure to address aggravation. The Veteran is also being asked to provide releases for any relevant private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and prostate disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of a sleep disorder and an increased evaluation for his left knee have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased evaluations for low back strain and right knee disability, as well as the issue of TDIU prior to June 14, 2011. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back and left knee disabilities are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions, with the effective date being fixed in accordance with the facts found.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the cases for further examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to his active service or due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims were also denied as secondary to pre-existing disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU due to new VA clinical documentation received in October 2022. The Veteran declined review by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction and requested that this appeal be remanded for consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee total replacement. The right knee disability issue is remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions for his left knee and low back disabilities. The RO must obtain addendum opinions regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups and repeated use over time.