Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee conditions and Bell's palsy due to incomplete development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted a 20 percent rating, but the service connection for his right hip bone spur remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions and a need for further examination regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition is related to service or his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and left ankle osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error in failing to attempt to obtain treatment records from Orlando Foot and Ankle. The VA is instructed to request authorization for release of medical records at Orlando Foot and Ankle.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity disability, jaw disability, bilateral knee disability, left and right shin splints, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for numbness left lower extremity and left knee meniscal tear, but denied service connection for these conditions. The appeal is remanded for further development on all issues.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left knee conditions was denied. The appeals for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability were also denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to his withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made. The Veteran was granted a 100% rating for PTSD from November 21, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a different examiner that addresses whether the left knee disability had its onset in service, is related to service, or was aggravated by the right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated septum has been reopened, and the Board finds that his testimony regarding an in-service motor vehicle accident is new and material evidence. Service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for inguinal hernia, left knee condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee conditions was granted, with the highest possible rating of 30% being assigned effective February 27, 2023. The TDIU claim prior to December 3, 2014, was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied it for right ear hearing loss. The claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues include left knee, right knee, skin, bilateral pes planus, and respiratory disabilities (asthma).

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations and requests for additional information regarding the examiners' qualifications. The case will be further developed by obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations, particularly regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a skull fracture is denied as there is no evidence of an additional disability. The right eye disability claim is also denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.,The claims for acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran experienced in-service injuries and chronic symptoms since separation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including providing a VA medical opinion regarding noise exposure during service and considering additional lay statements provided by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to include obtaining a VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.