Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation prior to October 22, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that symptoms began during service and have been continuous since then. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection for arthritis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The remaining claims have been denied or are being remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: back disorder, psychiatric disorder, bilateral eye disorder, respiratory disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right upper extremity disorder, left upper extremity disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. Hypertension is currently under review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee degenerative arthritis are granted. The claim for left hand CTS is remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding its relationship to her service-connected right hand CTS.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of bilateral hip and knee disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remand requires an additional VA examination to address the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for right hip disability, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and PTSD are all remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and instability are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, with no higher ratings granted. The left knee patellofemoral syndrome is also rated at the maximum allowable.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for scar, status post TENS unit placement has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated at 40 percent from December 11, 2019. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to lack of evidence showing episodic exacerbations or refractory symptoms.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left ankle disability or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy at any time during the pendency of the claim.,There is also no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as chronic joint pain (to include fibromyalgia), finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,The Board also found insufficient evidence to grant presumptive service connection based on exposure to Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, right knee disability, neck disability, left upper extremity neurological disability, and right upper extremity neurological disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot conditions, as well as her left shoulder condition, are granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in balance for these conditions being related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee DJD and residuals of right knee meniscectomy due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the appellant's symptoms during the period in question.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to a lack of a VA examination, as well as insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current knee conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, headaches secondary to PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The remand includes obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to new evidence. However, it was denied as there is no current disability found.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if it warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the Veteran not responding to a request for waiver of AOJ consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, lung disability, and stomach disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinea pedis and pilonidal cyst were not diagnosed or treated during the appeal period.