Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional VA treatment records being added to the claims file, and the Veteran wishes for these records to be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left total knee arthroplasty and left knee scar, including earlier effective dates for these conditions and increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding the issues of service connection for low back, left elbow, and left knee conditions, as well as an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, and denied service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder condition, and left knee condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, sinusitis, and rhinitis. The matters are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's cervical strain and left foot condition are granted, but the right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities remain unresolved. The Board has ordered remand for further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran's left knee instability is restored to a 10 percent rating from April 28, 2017 to March 5, 2021. Service connection for atrophic vulvovaginitis and degenerative disc disease and arthritis lumbar spine are granted as secondary to service-connected left knee.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her lumbar para spinal muscle spasms (spinal condition) is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee limitation of extension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for symptomatic patellar tendonitis of the left knee with degenerative arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities were remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral knee disabilities and hypertension due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically missing medical records from within 6-9 months after service separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip and left knee, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after separation from service. The Board also found that the current disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder with major depressive-like episodes is found to be the cause of her obstructive sleep apnea. The right knee condition remains under review for a rating increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right foot, left foot, right knee, and left knee disorders have been denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has decided that the severance of service connection for right knee, left knee, and left knee scar disabilities was not proper. Service connection is restored for these conditions. The claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

An effective date prior to March 9, 2018, for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis is denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is denied.

The Veteran's back brace, bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear to his clothing in 2014. The Board granted annual clothing allowances for the use of a right knee brace, left knee brace, and back brace.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are related to his active service.