Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examinations and a need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, including flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus, type II, left eye disability, hypertension, right leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left shoulder disability did not begin during or are not related to his active duty service.,The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were dismissed as the appeal is moot due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition (including as secondary to a back condition), and traumatic brain injury due to lack of current diagnoses in the medical record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, and left hip disability are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection of right knee osteoarthritis as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran is required to undergo further examination and provide additional information regarding stressors related to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in rating and for an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee prior to September 21, 2017.

The Board has remanded the issues of TDIU and basic eligibility for Chapter 35 DEA based on permanent and total disability prior to September 18, 2013 due to a letter from VA indicating that it would be premature to adjudicate these matters before considering information from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a disability rating for right knee strain and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his lumbar spine and lower extremity musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, necessitate regular aid and attendance of another person. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions result in the need for such assistance.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and a right rotator cuff injury, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has found the previous medical opinion inadequate and has ordered another remand to obtain a new opinion that considers all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's lay statements regarding knee pain in service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate notification and scheduling of the Veteran's requested VA examination, which was not provided at least 15 days prior to the scheduled date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's specific theory of entitlement regarding his knee disabilities, which he alleges were caused by physical activities during service. The case is being returned for further clarification.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is a link between his in-service injuries and the current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn her appeal on all issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a right ankle disability, and service connection for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities have been dismissed from the modernized appeal system due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of evidence.