Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service records do not show any right shoulder, left shoulder, or right knee disabilities. The Board finds no current diagnoses of these conditions.,There is no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current right knee disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and information regarding flare-ups.,The Veteran's appeal for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment is also being remanded, as it requires further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to ensure that VA fulfilled its duty to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal regarding service connection for left shoulder pain, bilateral knee pain, and bilateral foot pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as right and left knee disabilities, due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot arthrosis with plantar fasciitis is alleged to have caused or aggravated his current ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic or recurrent right knee problems beginning in service to correlate to the right knee meniscus tear necessitating meniscectomy and total knee replacement. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current right knee disability was incurred during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition due to incomplete VA records and the need for an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and requests that he be given another opportunity to present for examination. Additionally, the Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit pertinent medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 20 percent ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of an ascertainable date of increase in severity prior to December 12, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inconsistencies in a previous VA opinion and the need to consider new evidence from the Veteran's spouse.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development being required, including for a supplemental VA opinion on sleep apnea and a supplemental VA examination addressing right knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to new evidence raising the possibility of instability in the Veteran's knees, which could warrant a separate rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, foot, and ankle conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, as well as secondary service connection for the right knee disorder. The issues include direct service connection for the right knee disorder, secondary service connection for both knees, and a need for an opinion on whether the current left knee condition is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability is restored to a 20% rating, and his claim for service connection for depression is granted. The appeals for increased ratings of sleep disorder, low back disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his eye disorder and left forearm disorder. The Board requires further development to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to previous instructions not being followed, and a new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee condition was rated as 10 percent prior to June 27, 2014 and denied a higher rating. The current rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs is 50 percent effective December 16, 2019.,The Veteran's bursitis of the right shoulder was rated as 20 percent prior to March 29, 2017 and increased to 30 percent from December 16, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.