Knee decisions — 2023

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a disability rating exceeding 10 percent for the left knee based on limitation of flexion and extension, as well as the TDIU claim, due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and other claims have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals through his attorney.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain retrospective medical opinions regarding the Veteran's range of motion prior to August 16, 2019, and whether his disability is consistent with ankylosis or its functional equivalent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and cartilage issues, is rated at 20 percent since July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the theories of entitlement related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient examination reports, and no higher rating is currently supported by the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The appeals for increased rating for anxiety and depression, service connection for low back disorder, knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a right knee condition has been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or causal links to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and denied entitlement to a compensable rating prior to June 8, 2018, and to a rating in excess of 10 percent from June 8, 2018, for allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's left knee disorder was not found to be related to service or any other condition. His allergic rhinitis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being associated with the claims file after the issuance of the June 2022 Statement of the Case. The AOJ is required to issue a supplemental statement of the case and consider all evidence received since then.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, arthritis of multiple joints, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted. The remaining issues are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee strains, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including cervical strain, knee limitations of extension, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder bursitis, and external hemorrhoids. The AOJ is instructed to issue a supplemental statement of the case after considering additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or illegible service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right wrist disability is denied. The rating for his right knee laxity associated with retropatellar pain syndrome prior to April 29, 2022 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee conditions and shin splints. The Veteran will be provided VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those for initial disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service. The issue of secondary service connection remains under development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 50 percent disabling effective August 19, 2017. The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication.