Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and cervical spine strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is a relative equal balance of evidence for and against the claim. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and their functional impact on his ability to work. The issues include rating increases for patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes, instability, and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as right knee osteoarthritis with mild crepitus, medial and lateral meniscal tears, and residuals of anterior cruciate ligament tear. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.,The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee conditions are related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and need for additional examinations. The issues include arthritis of the back, wrists, knees, colon condition, and skin cancer.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The cases of low back disability and right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability other than right hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, right foot arthritis, right thigh shrapnel injury, and right thigh scars due to a shrapnel injury. The claim for PVD of the left leg is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right ankle, and umbilical hernia disabilities due to insufficient competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection. The left trunk disability, hypothyroidism, and other conditions have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and separate ratings for RLE radiculopathy and LLE radiculopathy are granted. The Veteran's right knee injuries are each rated at 10 percent.,The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability or his right knee injuries. However, the issues of separate ratings for RLE radiculopathy and LLE radiculopathy are remanded as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding these conditions.,The Veteran's right knee injuries are each rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that additional evidence may be needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and the need to obtain outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disability, IBS, and right groin strain to obtain a medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has ordered a new examination and opinion due to inconsistencies in the previous examination report. The Veteran's right knee disability, including both meniscal tear and strain, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and failure to comply with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinions regarding these conditions. The cases are pending further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for hypertension and degenerative joint disease of the left knee, as well as the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional evidentiary development. The Veteran's representative has raised the issue of unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing his appeals for several issues.,The Veteran's appeal was also dismissed for service connection claims related to an undiagnosed illness, fibromyalgia, a right knee disability, and a back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (MDD), right knee strain and osteoarthritis, left knee strain and osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are based on direct evidence of a relationship to service.