Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, request missing VA outpatient records, and schedule new medical examinations or obtain medical nexus opinions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee meniscus tear status post arthroscopy and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder) are remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, which is related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disorders have been denied. The Board found that the current level of severity of his bilateral knee disorder does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for service-connected vaginitis was granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding a left knee condition and a lower back condition, as well as their relationship to the left knee condition.

The Veteran's skin disabilities, including dyshidrotic eczema and tinea versicolor, are currently rated at 10% since November 8, 2018. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability and is granting a higher rating of 60% for his skin disabilities effective from November 8, 2018.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted TDIU beginning January 9, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection for shin splints, wrist disabilities, and knee disabilities. The Veteran's shin splints are being reviewed under the new Diagnostic Code 5262 effective February 7, 2021. Wrist and knee conditions are also being evaluated in terms of their relationship to service-connected shin splints.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee arthritis, right ankle pain, left ankle pain, gynecological disorders, shortness of breath, and chest pain due to incomplete development or lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.,An addendum opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral ankle conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and hip disabilities, as well as a current evaluation of his right eye disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his total left knee arthroplasty and gunshot wound to the tibia, is rated at 60 percent since February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a seizure disorder was granted, while appeals for other conditions were denied. Service connection for the previously claimed conditions is not established.

The Board has found that the October 2020 rating decision did not comply with its remand instructions and requires further action to clarify ratings, diagnostic codes, and correct any errors identified. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of left knee arthritis (flexion) prior to October 25, 2018, and from October 1, 2020 are now remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to evaluate his service-connected knee and back disabilities, as the current evidence is insufficient.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, bilateral hip pain, and neck condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity amputation.,A rating higher than 40 percent for left knee traumatic below-joint amputation is denied.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2018 remand instructions and thus, the matters must be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the preexisting condition did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and leg disorders. The current VA examinations did not adequately consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries and continued symptoms.