Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability, TDIU, and determining additional functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate response to a previous request for retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability prior to November 23, 2016. The case is now back with VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete information or development needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incorrect addresses of the Veteran's representative. Addendum opinions are required regarding whether these disabilities are related to in-service toxic exposure.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not currently rated, and his sinusitis has been granted a 30% rating effective April 4, 2022. His allergic rhinitis remains unassigned.,Service connection for various joint disorders of the hands, feet, elbows, shoulders, ankles, and toes is being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and respiratory disorder (asthma) as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with concussion, irritable bowel syndrome, left shoulder strain, lumbar spondylosis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and right knee strain, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since November 26, 2008. The Board has granted TDIU effective as of that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limited flexion and for TDIU prior to July 13, 2010 due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection and TDIU. The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disorder, knee disorder, hypertension, and headaches are still pending. The claim for TDIU is being considered under extraschedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence related to the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders and right hip disorder impact her ability to dress, attend to personal hygiene needs, or require assistance in protecting herself from hazards.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a history of meniscectomy, is rated at 10 percent prior to August 19, 2022. A separate rating for symptomatic residuals from the meniscectomy was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities and psychiatric disorder. The claims will be reconsidered with additional opinions.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and instability are rated at 30 percent from April 23, 2015 to December 28, 2015. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for right knee instability prior to December 28, 2015. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connection due to the PACT Act, which provides a presumption of exposure and subsequent disability.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act. The Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty in Guam.,The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as service connection due to the PACT Act, which provides a presumption of exposure and subsequent disability.,Service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as arthritis of the left knee) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and missing separation examination records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.