Knee decisions — 2024

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of the Veteran's back disability, right knee disabilities, left knee disabilities, right shoulder disabilities, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability rating was reduced from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2016. The reduction is now overturned and the original 30 percent rating for left knee subluxation or instability is restored.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to new medical evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder has been granted. The claims for service connection for back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the increased ratings for right knee conditions, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support reopening of his hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), right hand/finger disability, left hand/finger disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been reopened, but the Board has not made a final determination on whether these claims are granted. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Board has decided that the Veteran should be scheduled for a DRO hearing due to her request, and the appeal is being remanded accordingly.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, but the Board denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, including an undiagnosed illness and asthma, is granted on a presumptive basis due to service in the Gulf War. The right knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, generalized anxiety disorder, right knee instability, right shoulder disability, and left elbow disability have all been granted ratings.,Specifically, the Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, including obtaining medical opinions on range of motion and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for right knee disorders and service connection for sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a back condition, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis have all been denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted a 70% rating from August 31, 2018 to February 10, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to incomplete records from Malcom Grow Medical Center at Joint Base Andrews.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, several conditions were found to be incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee traumatic arthritis and instability due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations, including a lack of recent VA treatment records. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss of the right ear and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information and a new examination if necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and left hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence in their respective opinions. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, a back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The effective dates and ratings will be assigned by the RO.