Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to determine if her current right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, and neck disorders are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and reduction of his rating are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence since the February 2020 Statement of Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that additional development is required, including VA examinations and a review of her medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities led to obesity and subsequently obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board has granted the claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hypertension, PTSD with cognitive disorder, sinusitis, knee disorders, allergic rhinitis, cerebral infarction residuals secondary to moyamoya disease, and right upper extremity disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis and instability due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about the qualifications of the November 2022 VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his left knee disability and TDIU claims. The Board will not make a decision on these issues until the requested information has been obtained.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for ligamentous strain, right knee from March 30, 2012.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee instability rated at 20 percent and separate ratings for locking, pain, and joint effusion. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board denied service connection for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between current knee conditions and service.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea on a direct basis and remanded the cases of respiratory disability (other than sleep apnea), claimed as asthma, and right knee disability to include arthritis. The case is also remanded for an opinion regarding whether current sleep apnea is aggravated by service-connected migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded for a medical opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected bilateral knee and shin splint disabilities.

The claim of service connection for a low back disability (claimed as scoliosis) has been reopened, and the Veteran's left knee scars are denied an initial compensable rating.,VA is remanding the issue of whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is denied as not related to service. Tinnitus was manifest during active service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's right hip arthritis and left knee instability are denied higher ratings. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for the left knee meniscal tear.,Service connection for a right knee disorder on secondary basis is remanded, and an effective date prior to August 12, 2018 for the award of a separate rating for left knee instability is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left hip and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service. The claims are remanded due to missing STRs.,Service connection is denied as there is no persuasive medical evidence linking current left hip or right knee disabilities to in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist disability and right knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions. The examiner is required to consider the Veteran's lay statements and testimony regarding falls aboard the ship and progressive worsening over time, and provide an opinion on whether these factors are related to his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, left shoulder condition, left knee condition, and allergic rhinitis. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran with examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military service.