Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguities in the medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is being reviewed, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities (PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, residuals of left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee instability associated with residuals of left knee patellofemoral syndrome).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and hip disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records from his second period of active duty. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the skin condition on the feet is inadequate, and a new medical examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and instability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service, specifically an incident involving a Humvee hit by IEDs in Iraq. The decision resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and lumbar degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has jurisdiction over the Veteran's Legacy appeal and finds that a SOC must be issued for the issues of service connection for various conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination for the left knee disability. The Veteran was not notified properly and did not report for the scheduled examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee patellar instability and other orthopedic conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous instructions and additional development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee conditions, but granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee condition, and bilateral pes planus were granted in a September 2022 rating decision. As these issues are considered fully granted, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for skin cancer, testicular cancer, heartburn, headaches, dizziness, right hand disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including effective date determinations and service connection for various disabilities. The appeal remains in appellate status.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip disability, right shoulder disability, heart disorder (claimed as a heart murmur), and gastrointestinal disorder.,The Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in 2022 and 2023 was noted. The Board found that the Veteran failed without good cause to comply with the remand instructions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The Board also remanded the cases regarding left hip degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the April 2020 remand directives and has therefore ordered the case to be returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not permanently increase in severity during his period of active duty for training.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and thyroid nodules (endocrine condition) claims are remanded for additional development. The left knee and lumbar disability secondary to service-connected conditions also need further examination and opinion.,The Veteran needs a new VA examination for her right ankle disability, as the previous examinations did not address functional loss during flare-ups or with repetitive use over time. She also requires a new VA endocrine examination to determine if she has an endocrine condition related to service. The left knee and lumbar disability claims need further evaluation by different examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet VA criteria for hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.