Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right knee trochlear grove lesion and limitation of extension have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Issues regarding the left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased ratings were granted. Service connection was established for right lower sciatic radiculopathy, but not for other conditions due to lack of evidence supporting exposure to toxic substances. Increased ratings were denied for right ear hearing loss, left knee anterior cruciate ligament partial tear, left knee instability, right fibula fracture (claimed as right ankle condition), and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition. The Board also found no chronicity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for right knee disorder and right shoulder disorder should be remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the onset of these conditions and their relationship to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee strain and an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee instability, to include a compensable rating earlier than November 30, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, chest pains, blurred vision, and left knee disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and service.,Specifically, the Board determined that there is no credible evidence showing that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a left knee condition due to new evidence submitted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition is also reopened. However, further development is needed as the Board finds that additional VA examinations are required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in the reported knee range of motion and the need for a thorough VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding his bilateral knee disorders, acquired psychiatric disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee sprain and right ankle sprain conditions are rated at the lowest possible levels, with no higher ratings granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher disability ratings for right knee chronic strain with arthritis and lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis due to issues regarding the competence of the VA examiner who conducted the December 2022 VA knee and back examinations.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, drug abuse disorder secondary to service-connected left knee and back conditions, and chronic pain disorder are all granted as service connected.,Service connection for the respiratory condition is established due to exposure during Southwest Asia service. Service connection for the drug abuse disorder and chronic pain disorder is established based on direct service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee PFPS, but granted service connection for a right shoulder disability. The denial is based on the Veteran's right knee symptoms not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted. The left knee disability, right knee disability (as secondary to the left knee), tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability are all found to be related to his military service. However, hypertension is remanded as a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability because no new and material evidence was received to link his current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and shoulder conditions due to inconsistencies in range of motion findings and need for clarification regarding certain medical opinions.