Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right hip, bilateral knee, and right foot disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the severity of her service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, right knee damage, and left knee damage due to issues with scheduling VA examinations while the Veteran is incarcerated.

The Veteran's back, left hip, and right knee disabilities are granted service connection. The Veteran's left and right shin disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's shin splints and degenerative arthritis of the knee were denied increased ratings, as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PFB, knee disabilities, and hip disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support higher ratings based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee scars effective August 19, 1997. The Veteran's claim was not earlier than this date as the period for filing a Substantive Appeal had not yet begun to run due to an incorrect mailing address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome has been manifested by painful motion, but flexion and extension have not been limited to the levels required for a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating as his disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that it had its onset during service or is etiologically related to his active service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for left knee strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on Diagnostic Codes provided in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a digestive disorder, a back disability (claimed as stomach condition), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for various disabilities was not proper and has ordered further examination and evaluation to determine if service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis was dismissed.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted due to the Veteran's exposure to burn pits during his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified anxiety disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and concludes that his current psychiatric disability had an onset during active service.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, hip, and foot conditions as well as PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee impairment, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, effective throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee instability with limited range of motion is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error related to the scheduling of a VA examination. The Board finds it unclear whether the Veteran was properly notified and failed to report without good cause.