Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities due to inadequate prior examinations. The case must be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as bilateral pes planus, have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability that began during active service and provided new medical opinions supporting this finding.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and right knee disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations. Further examination is needed to determine the current severity of these conditions from January 2016 to present.

The Board denied service connection for right knee instability, finding that there is no current disability of instability and the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to his already service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for her right and left knee disabilities has been denied. The RO increased the initial evaluations to 20 percent effective June 10, 2021, but these did not satisfy the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The claims are also remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20% for instability since June 12, 2013. The rating remains unchanged prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for her knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence presented at a hearing. The claims will be reviewed with updated etiology opinions considering the Veteran's recent testimony.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis is dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a December 2021 rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spinal stenosis and fusion, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability due to incomplete VA examinations and outstanding records.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right wrist strain or CTS have been granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle condition is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, low back disability, variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depression), hypertension, and left ear hearing loss. The maximum schedular rating of 10% is assigned for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection for a yeast infection, right knee strain, and left knee strain is granted. The Veteran's increased rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, adjustment like disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left foot, right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and left-hand disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete range of motion testing and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, but there are concerns about instability that need clarification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the issues of entitlement to service connection for a stomach disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, left thigh disorder, left foot drop, and tinnitus are remanded due to new evidence submitted.