Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for a left knee strain post meniscal surgery, based on limited range of extension, was dismissed. The Veteran's claim for an initial 20 percent disability rating for a left knee meniscal tear and a separate 10 percent disability rating for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability of the left knee were granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of service-connected disorders. The earlier effective dates for various conditions have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand several cases involving service connection for various joint and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as sleep apnea and inguinal hernia. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate VA nexus opinions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 10 percent disability ratings for left and right knee instability, finding that a single examination used to reduce these ratings was inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, a lumbar spine disability (bulging disc), a right knee disability, residuals of a left knee injury, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date is not warranted for the grant of a separate 10% rating for left knee instability, as there is no indication of such condition prior to the June 2018 VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review due to inadequate VA examination opinions and procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, with no higher rating due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed right or left knee disability during her period of active duty service, nor does she currently have such disabilities. For the low back issue, the Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including knee and shoulder conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to assess the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an initial increased rating for avulsion fracture talus with degenerative arthritis of the right foot, and an initial increased rating for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was reduced from 30% to 10%, but the rating is now restored. Service connection for a right hip disability and low back disability as secondary to his right knee disability are granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right knee disabilities, finding that symptoms of these conditions have been continuous since service separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for panic disorder, GERD, and service connection for a right knee condition due to outstanding private treatment records not being obtained. The issues remain in appellate status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease or injury during service and that the current condition is more likely due to normal wear and tear. The Board also found that the condition is not secondary to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and failure to obtain addendum opinions. The Veteran's representative provided reasons for non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined due to incomplete records of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The appeals have been REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee strain due to limitation of motion is denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for instability is granted. The cases are remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, joint pain (claimed as polyarthritis), and low back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are MUCMIs.