Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his left knee scar. Additionally, he needs an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his left ankle disorder and bilateral wrist pain.

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid disability and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. The appeal regarding other issues is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information about the qualifications of the VA examiner who provided an opinion on the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran and her representative need this information in order to fully develop their arguments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues with his back condition.

The Board has denied service connection for shortness of breath, an enlarged heart, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability (including arthritis) as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left calf and left knee conditions, finding that these symptoms are related to his service-connected lumbosacral spondylolisthesis and associated sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service. A new VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, right shoulder, and low back conditions. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition was granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service. The claim will be reviewed after obtaining additional evidence and a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's right knee instability rating was restored to 20 percent, and his limitation of flexion rating remains at 10 percent. The reduction from 20 percent to 0 percent for instability was found improper due to lack of actual improvement in the condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left axillary adenopathy with rhomboid spasm and left knee strain due to the need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, as there are deficiencies in VA's duty to assist and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, back strain, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left foot pain, and sleep apnea. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee DJD with patellofemoral tendonitis is rated at 40 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disorders due to a lack of updated VA examinations. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and residuals of bunionectomies due to exposure to gas and diesel fuel during National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.,Initial compensable ratings are granted for left and right ankle disabilities, effective prior to January 9, 2023.,A 10 percent evaluation is granted for metatarsalgia and status-post right foot navicular fracture.,Initial 30 percent evaluations are granted for left and right knee disabilities (limitation of flexion).,GERD with hiatal hernia and chronic diarrhea warrant a 30 percent evaluation.,Service connection for TBI is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities during the period on appeal. The issues include increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, rotator cuff tendonitis of the right shoulder, right elbow limitation of flexion, right knee limited flexion, and left knee tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, seizure/epilepsy disability, and lumbosacral strain as new evidence was received that could potentially reopen these previously denied claims.