Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted from October 4, 2019. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including a VA examination and treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Veteran does not have a diagnosed right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of service dates and a need for an opinion on whether the right knee disability is related to active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. A new examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed left knee disabilities are related to service, including his right and back conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for non-scarring residuals resulting from an umbilical hernia repair, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, chondromalacia of the patella of the right knee, and instability of the left knee. The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and instability of the right knee are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The current knee disabilities are not considered to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are both established. The Veteran also has service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,Right shoulder disability, right heel spur, and right knee condition (secondary) have been granted.,Service connection for a right knee condition remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn and dismissed. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, and associated radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings and unclear onset dates.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination to clarify the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right leg shin splints and any other symptoms associated with the disability. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether the Veteran's right knee PFS is related to service or her service-connected right leg shin splints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate consideration of lay statements and new medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and right rotator cuff injury due to incomplete records. Further development is needed to confirm if there are any outstanding service treatment records, particularly those from Travis Air Force Base related to the Veteran's complaints of right knee pain in 1967.

The Veteran's service connection for recurrent abdominoplasty residuals is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of rating PTSD, low back musculotendinous strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left ankle strain residuals.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for migraine headaches and a left knee disability have been dismissed as the Veteran opted his legacy appeal into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.