Knee decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for residuals of left and right knee meniscus tears as well as a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left foot toe fractures, right knee disorder, and right foot disorder are denied as they are not considered to be related to his low back strain or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The right and left knee conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on the secondary service connection theory.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an annual VA clothing allowance due to the use of a left knee brace is remanded. The AOJ will need to determine if the specific type of left knee brace used by the Veteran meets the criteria for a clothing allowance and whether it causes wear and tear on his clothing.

Service connection for tinea cruris and bilateral knee disability is granted, while service connection for diarrhea is denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during Southwest Asia service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depression and chondromalacia, left knee was dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to perform work-like activities due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is currently rated for radiculopathy, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hip, knee, lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, and foot disorders. The VA examiner is requested to provide nexus opinions considering the Veteran's service duties as a combat medic and his reported in-service injuries.

The appeal is granted, and service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome is restored. The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is not considered a disability for VA purposes, but he has established a current left ear hearing loss disability. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted with specific ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 7, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also still seeking a rating in excess of 20 percent for her left knee condition.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's accrued benefits are granted for the remaining unreimbursed amount of $3,643.50 due to his burial and funeral expenses.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia, while other claims for increased ratings and effective dates are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, hypertension, and a disability manifested by elevated cholesterol levels due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.