Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, right shoulder, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records and provide a supplemental medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of each disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, but has remanded it for further development to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether his current conditions are related to in-service knee pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete verification of stressors for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions began during active duty. Service connection was denied for a bacterial infection claimed as a result of VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any current knee disability, including arthritis, was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hernias with persistent ascites are caused by his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with alcohol dependence. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and flexion/extension limitations, has been rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2017.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including right knee and ankle disorders, as well as increased ratings and earlier effective dates for thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran withdrew his appeal in an August 2018 statement.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic right leg disorder, including DJD of the right knee, finding that there was no direct link between the current condition and service. The evidence did not support presumptive service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology or diagnosis within one year post-service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a higher rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and has remanded the issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee. The effective date for service connection is granted as May 8, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw his claims for spleen disability and right knee scar.,The claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all remaining issues associated with this appeal, including the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and potential SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also required to undergo further medical examinations related to his knee, hip, back, neck, arthritis, foot, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, eye, lung, and hearing loss conditions.

The Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The skin condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disorder, right hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder are not service-connected.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for a respiratory disability (bronchitis), with no specific effective date provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus type II due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for release of his private treatment records from Precision Fabric and Pleasant Garden Family Medicine.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective from January 7, 2012. The appeal remains on hold due to remanded issues.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and diabetes mellitus are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right knee disability. The right knee disability remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in his VA examination reports. The issues include left leg, left knee, sleep disorder, residuals of cold weather injuries, and low back disorders.