Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a right knee examination to determine if his current rating is accurate, an examination for his ingrown toenail condition to assess functional impairment during infection or post-surgical intervention, and a VA examination for his left toe condition. Additionally, he requires a heart and chest pain examination.

The Veteran's right knee scars are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for her two post-operative scars. The case is being remanded to determine if she should receive a higher rating for her right knee disability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide an updated VA examination to assess the severity of her condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip, ankle, knee disabilities, and sleep apnea due to incomplete medical opinions regarding obesity, PTSD, and the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic tension headaches, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to MST. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since June 19, 2017 and prevent him from performing gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions have not manifested with flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or extension limited to 10 degrees or more at any point during the appeal period. As such, her initial rating requests for increased compensation are denied.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical care provided at Lawnwood Hospital Trauma Center in October 2010 is granted, as he was totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities and the VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected based on direct evidence linking them to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing secondary service connection. The RO is requested to obtain additional VA treatment records, resubmit a buddy statement from J.F., and provide addendum VA medical opinions on the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded for further evaluation. The issues involve the severity of his right knee disability, including consideration of flare-ups, and the impact on TDIU.

Service connection for interstitial lung disease is granted on a presumptive basis. A 40 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for acid reflux, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral heel pain due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to send the claim file to an appropriate clinician who will provide opinions on whether the Veteran's conditions had onset in active service or are otherwise causally connected to his service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its remand directives and the claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for herpes zoster was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection is denied for PFB, headaches, sinusitis, right breast mass, bradycardia, testicular disorder, groin disorder, and bilateral knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the left knee and right knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, including arthritis, is being readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will reassess this claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his knee and back conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

An effective date of March 17, 2009, is granted for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with meniscal tear are remanded.

The appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability are dismissed as the Veteran's claims were improperly docketed under the AMA.,The appeals for neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are also dismissed due to improper docketing under the AMA.