Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for right knee strain and service connection for hearing loss due to scheduling issues with VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and the claims for service connection must be remanded again. The Veteran's left knee, right shoulder, back, bilateral ankles, and erectile dysfunction disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, right eye, and sinus disabilities due to new evidence received. The PACT Act requires a VA examination considering all periods of service and toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to additional evidence added since the April 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence or onset of this condition during active duty, and it is not related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for disability.,The Board remanded issues regarding hip condition (including sacroiliitis with joint dysfunction), right knee patellar tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, and TMJD due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and bilateral knee conditions due to a lack of VA examination in response to his claims. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals are remanded due to insufficient evidence for several conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, sciatic nerve disabilities, knee disabilities, and shoulder injury. The VA is directed to provide additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for a left wrist TFCC tear is granted. The rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for benign prostatic hypertrophy with urge incontinence (BPH) is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed regarding toxic exposure risk activities for the Veteran's knee disabilities and lower extremity radiculopathy. The RO is instructed to obtain these opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, as secondary to her service-connected residuals of a right leg vein thrombosis. The VA examiners did not address aggravation or provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities. A rating of 70 percent was granted for major depressive disorder from June 1, 2019 to May 13, 2020.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis, including during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), migraines secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to migraine disorder. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 0%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left knee disability due to a lack of current diagnosis and functional impairment.

The Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus were granted initial ratings, while the overactive bladder condition was granted a maximum schedular rating. Service connection for stomach condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, back condition, high cholesterol, low vitamin D, and left knee condition were denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected chronic pain conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than MDD, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective November 23, 2016. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted prior to this date.,The Veteran's status post compression fracture T-12 and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hip strain affecting limitation of extension is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hip strain affecting limitation of flexion is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran's stricture of the esophagus is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right hip disability, which may be secondary to his left hip disabilities. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if this condition is related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which may be secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if this condition is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee instability, impaired flexion, and impaired extension are granted at specific ratings. A rating higher than 60 percent for residuals of a total right knee replacement is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia is dismissed. The claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD, alcohol abuse, PTSD) are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.,Further clarification is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's antalgic gait and her service-connected ankle disabilities.