Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims. As such, all issues on appeal are REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee and low back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection. The appellant's left knee disability is being examined again, as well as his low back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability due to inadequate examination findings, specifically missing range of motion measurements in a December 2021 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate reasons and bases in prior decisions, including failure to consider instability and provide proper range of motion testing. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right pinky fracture residuals and scar, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that further evaluations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities, right knee disabilities, left index finger arthritis, and asthma. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings have been remanded.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection. The remaining hip, leg and knee issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including whether flareups or repeated use over time approximate ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural error in recognizing the Veteran's VA Form 10182 and placing his appeal in the AMA Hearing Lane. The RO should issue an SOC addressing whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its September 2022 remand directives and thus, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, degenerative changes, lumbar spine, and an acquired psychiatric disability claimed as depression and anxiety. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as a presumptive condition due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,Service connection for congestive heart failure with ventricular arrhythmia, heart block, valvular heart disease, supraventricular arrhythmia, and hypertensive heart disease is granted based on the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability to include as secondary to service-connected back disability is denied due to lack of a nexus between the knee condition and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee pain, right knee pain, and low back pain. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

A 30 percent rating for GERD is granted. The claim for a higher rating for rhinitis prior to January 8, 2020 and until May 3, 2023 is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Higher ratings are granted for right knee meniscal tear/patellar chondromalacia, right thigh strain (limitation of extension), and right thigh strain (limitation of flexion). The claims for service connection regarding left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left thigh strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative changes with osteophyte formation and left knee osteochondroma with degenerative arthritis prior to specific dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for arthritis of hips, knees, and hands, as well as cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders.