Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding that new evidence received after a prior final denial supports the claim. The decision is based on the opinion of a private physician who concluded that the Veteran's current right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and left eyebrow scar are denied. The right hand condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition (claimed as secondary to right knee condition), and lumbar spine condition (claimed as secondary to right knee condition) are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions, including right hip disorder replacement, eczema, right shoulder rotator cuff chronic residuals, degenerative disc disease of the cervical, hypertension, left shoulder rotator cuff chronic residuals, right knee DJD, left hip disorder replacement, and lumbosacral neuritis radiculitis thoracic, all of which are determined to not be related to service.

The Board has found that new evidence supports readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for an increased rating for MDD, service connection for pre-syncope and/or syncope (secondary to MDD), and TDIU are also remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right knee condition and bilateral pes cavus have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service records cannot be located and that there are no relevant post-service medical treatment records. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, right inguinal hernia, memory loss due to concussion, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the severity of her right knee disability, as well as whether her June 2016 right knee arthroscopy surgery was related to her service-connected right knee strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The RO will readjudicate the claim on its merits.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were initially granted service connection and assigned a disability rating of 30 percent effective June 6, 2015. The appeal is for an increased rating beyond this date.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, herpes, migraines, depression, anxiety, and PTSD due to a failure to obtain VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hand disability, and low back disability due to new evidence submitted since the last rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, a right foot condition, and a skin condition of the right hand are being remanded due to an error in the VA treatment records considered at the time of the initial rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot, hearing loss, and left knee disabilities were not incurred during service. The low back disability was found to be related to service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The RO will readjudicate the claim on its merits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right hip trochanteric pain syndrome and right knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear residuals have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing all pending appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and remanded the issue of evaluating a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.,Service connection is established for sinusitis, with no specific exposure basis provided. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee condition remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, right medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), and left medial tibial stress syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain a clarifying opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.