Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities, as well as right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is not service connected as it is not related to his service-connected right knee disorder.,The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder, low back, and left knee conditions due to incomplete service records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for private treatment records related to his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow arthritis, left elbow arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The claim for traumatic brain injury (TBI) was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left hip and left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of any injury or disease during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of sinusitis and concluded that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities due to additional evidence and potential changes in VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a need for additional medical examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee status post total arthroplasty (left knee disability), and bilateral foot disability, all secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection for pelvis misalignment is denied due to lack of evidence supporting the diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for early compartment regional pain syndrome, tension headaches, and seborrheic dermatitis have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The low back disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella claims have all been reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of bilateral hip, knee, and big toe conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disorder, allergic disorder, gynecologic disorder, and bilateral knee disorder were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability was granted with a current rating of 20 percent.

The Board has ordered a remand due to an inadequate medical opinion in the November 2019 VA examination report. The Veteran's right knee strain disability is being reviewed for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his total left knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, and bilateral foot neuropathy as secondary to mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found that there is no direct link between the current conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a greater than 10 percent rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the appellant's left knee condition. The pension claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board denied service connection for neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.