Knee decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA records. The issues include service connection for Crohn's disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as residuals of a torn right knee meniscus and left knee degenerative arthritis. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand instructions and potential issues related to the Veteran's homelessness.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, neck, left knee, tinnitus, and sleep-related disabilities due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's dental condition, claimed as extracted teeth, is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is denied because there is no direct service connection and the Veteran's current disability is less likely related to his in-service injury. The examiner noted that the current shoulder disability is more likely related to time and age rather than the in-service injury.,The Veteran's right arm disability is not supported by evidence of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there is no direct service connection established.,Service connection for a kidney disability, claimed as a 'hump' on the kidney, is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting its relationship with in-service events or diseases.,Service connection for polycythemia is remanded because it has not been shown to be related to an already service-connected condition (hemorrhoids and hiatal hernia) or a pre-existing condition aggravated by the service-connected conditions.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion from November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD with limitation of flexion prior to November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee DJD with lateral instability prior to November 29, 2018 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee DJD is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD prior to November 29, 2011 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD from November 29, 2011 to February 4, 2020 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,An initial rating in excess of 60 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD since February 4, 2020 is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting an increased disability level.,Total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU) is remanded as there is no direct service connection established.

The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD, lumbar spine arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right foot disorder due to incomplete development as a result of the inability to verify the Veteran's current address. The Veteran was provided updated contact information but did not attend the VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for his left knee disability, GERD, and IBS. The psychiatric condition received a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if his disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding her need for aid and attendance or housebound SMC based on her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and right wrist fracture do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining a Social Security earnings report to determine the Veteran's income from October 2015 to the present. The TDIU claim remains denied.

The Veteran's knee and hip conditions have been rated based on their current functional impairment, with some issues granted ratings while others are denied. The Veteran received separate maximum schedular ratings for his right knee meniscus tear residuals and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA medical examinations and failure to comply with previous remand orders. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for PB, PTSD, duodenal ulcer, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, high cholesterol, and heart condition as these issues have been fully granted in a prior rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and clarifying medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The appellant's service-connected left knee, right knee, thoracic spine, and sinusitis disabilities are all subject to review.