Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's other claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the final decisions of February 2002 and February 2012 warrants reconsideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection. The cases are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating higher than 10 percent for right knee painful loss of range of motion and for a rating higher than 10 percent for the right knee meniscal tear due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and muscle spasms due to insufficient examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine the current severity of these conditions, as well as whether the right knee disability is aggravating the lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's low back disability, currently diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to herbicide exposure. The right knee and left knee disabilities are denied, with the Board finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The low back disability is also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, DJD of the lumbar spine, and a left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded. The initial ratings for bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and right knee disability are granted or denied as specified. The appeal regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for various conditions and ratings, as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and a left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA-contracted examiner's opinions are inadequate and remanded for further development, including obtaining new etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to November 5, 2019, was rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion. The claim is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip disabilities, low back disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and service-connected feet disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient development of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to December 27, 2018. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment from July 2006 to December 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition was aggravated during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a kidney disability, respiratory disability, and right knee arthritis due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he withdrew his legacy appeal by submitting a VA Form 10182 in May 2020, opting into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim has been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The left knee, right hip, left foot, and back disorder claims are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and has remanded issues related to reductions in ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as claims for higher ratings for limitation of motion of both knees.