Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for service connection of left knee, right knee, right elbow, respiratory disorder, and sleep apnea. The Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent from June 20, 2017. Service connection for left knee arthritis was not granted. Effective June 20, 2017, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for HTN, and separate ratings for knee disabilities. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss and that the Veteran's HTN did not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating. For his bilateral knee disabilities, the Board denied claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent as well as separate ratings for instability.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for each of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right foot conditions, trigger finger of the right hand, and a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee condition due to confusion with the Veteran's address and failure to obtain necessary medical records.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for TBI. The Veteran's psychiatric disability remains the focus of his appeal, with hepatitis C secondary to that disability also being addressed.

Your appeals for service connection regarding a bilateral foot disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need to obtain audiometric reports and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and vision disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including left and right hip, knee, ankle, and foot conditions. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $23,484.38 was proper and this appeal is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for such a grant due to his service-connected disabilities and their ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for a forehead scar and certificate of eligibility for special home adaptation have been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further action, including obtaining SSA records and considering the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU and SMC.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities, including during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service connected, but has found insufficient evidence to determine if his left knee condition is secondary to his right knee condition. The case is therefore being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted with effective dates of August 9, 2013. The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to a higher evaluation for right knee cartilage, semilunar, dislocated with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint from June 13, 2018, to March 1, 2020 is granted. The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to a temporary 100% evaluation for right total knee replacement from March 1, 2020, to March 1, 2021 and an initial 30% evaluation for residuals of right total knee replacement since March 1, 2021 is granted. The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder and TDIU is remanded.