Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder, urinary tract disorder, low back disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are presumed to be related to his service due to herbicide exposure. However, the claims for these conditions prior to August 10, 2022, and other than under the provisions of the PACT Act, are remanded as new evidence is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development regarding service connection claims for right hip disorder and bilateral knee disorder, as they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain. The Board will not make a decision on the increased rating claim for GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a gastrointestinal disability. The reasons include the need for new medical opinions to address the etiology of these conditions on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded to obtain missing service records and conduct medical examinations. The specific issues include bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to other conditions), skeletal arthritis, bowel disorder, low back disorder, hip disorders, knee disorders, and foot disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, and hypertension conditions due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues will be reconsidered by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) with consideration of this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions regarding the appellant's Crohn's disease are inadequate and remanded for a new opinion. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including depression, gastroparesis, regional enteritis of small intestine, psoriasis, arthritis, and osteoporosis, are also being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, and migraine headaches due to new evidence indicating these conditions may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee meniscectomy, left knee instability, right knee strain, and thoracolumbar disability due to incomplete or unclear responses from previous VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained on remand are inadequate and requires further examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee meniscal tear and TDIU due to functional impact of his service-connected disabilities, including a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of medical records from the George Washington Hospital in Washington, DC. The Veteran's right knee and back disabilities need to be evaluated with these records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, arthritis of the shoulders, knees, hips, and back have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions regarding range of motion measurements from earlier VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective March 10, 2021, the Veteran is granted a TDIU rating of 100%.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical evidence and new evidence obtained since the last decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the issues of entitlement to service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities have been remanded. The claims for soft tissue sarcomas and thyroid disorder are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylosis with mild disc degeneration and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, both secondary to his service-connected left ankle sprain. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.