Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of a chronic right wrist disorder other than carpal tunnel syndrome, and the claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's current right knee disability is not considered to be related to his active service.

The claims for service connection for psoriasis, left knee degenerative joint disease, arthritis, right knee disability, diabetes, and hypertension have all been denied as the evidence does not show a direct relationship to military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's active duty periods.,For CTS, the Board found no medical opinion linking it to ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service. For left knee disability, while there was a positive medical opinion from July 2013 VA examination, the appellant did not receive an LOD determination for her injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability due to service-connected right hip disability, as it requires an addendum opinion from the May 2021 examiner regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee chronic tear of the medial meniscus and left knee chronic degeneration of the medial meniscus, patellofemoral syndrome, and bursitis as secondary to service-connected right knee chronic tear of the medial meniscus. The decision is based on evidence that is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received to reconsider the Veteran's claims on appeal. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with left knee, lower back, and right shoulder disabilities; service treatment records confirm treatment for left knee and back conditions; and he is service connected for a right knee disability. The Board finds remand necessary due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional error in not providing an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder as there is no evidence of a current disability, an in-service injury or disease, and no link between the Veteran's current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, fatigue secondary to OSA, and several other conditions have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability in some of these cases.,Service connection for right elbow condition, left elbow condition, left hip condition (secondary to trochanteric bursitis), and left knee condition (secondary to patellofemoral syndrome) has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as separate additional ratings for instability in both knees. The remand is due to insufficient reasons provided by the Board regarding the presence or absence of instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU), including on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or more than 15 degrees of forward flexion. The Veteran's radiculopathy and osteoarthritis are also rated at their maximum levels.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at its maximum level.

The Board has found that the Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed low back, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities. The appeal is remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition but denied service connection for a left knee condition. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported history of knee injuries during basic training and subsequent treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination findings and recent amendments to the rating criteria. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the knee claims are resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically whether they can be classified as residuals of organic disease or injury, and their impact on locomotion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine his employment status and eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.