Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The right knee issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as incurred in service. The cases for pruritus, athlete's foot, PFB, right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), watery eyes, and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering toxic exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorders and their relationship to service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining opinions on whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected right knee arthritis and/or lumbar arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and instability have been rated as 10%, noncompensable, and 20% respectively prior to September 19, 2022. The Board has remanded the claims for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and left knee disability, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and erectile dysfunction due to lack of evidence establishing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether his right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The Veteran's right knee strain was not found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has added new evidence to the record and requested that it be reviewed by the AOJ before deciding the claim. The Veteran's right knee condition is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's initial rating for a left knee scar, residual of left knee arthroscopic surgery, from October 2, 2015 to the present, is denied. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee, Osgood-Schlatter's disease, from December 1, 2015 to the present, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the right knee disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending and will be reviewed again with a new medical examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because his debt was forgiven in April 2020, and he received the benefit he sought - forgiveness of the overpayment of VA benefits during his period of incarceration.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity (major) is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity (minor) is granted a 20 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. Service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left foot, brain tumor, and penile disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining VA opinions on etiology.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to his right ankle, bilateral knee pain, plantar warts, migraine headaches, spinal stenosis, a bilateral elbow condition, ulcerative colitis, and sleep apnea. The VA will need to obtain any relevant private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limited extension and instability, is rated at 20 percent. The left knee disability, including a meniscal condition and instability, is also rated at 20 percent. Effective May 19, 2011, the Veteran receives these ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back disorders. The remand is due to insufficient evidence on whether pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine if any right knee disability had its onset during service or is related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically right and left knee degenerative arthritis, were denied increased ratings. However, a separate additional 10 percent rating was granted for limitation of extension in both knees.

The Veteran's initial claim for a right knee disability and total knee replacement was granted with an initial rating of 50 percent from May 10, 2016 to August 18, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings or separate ratings beyond this period is denied. A rating higher than 100 percent for a right total knee replacement and a rating higher than 60 percent for residuals of the same are also denied. An initial compensable rating for a right knee scar is not granted.