Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's testicular cancer and right knee disability, specifically related to exposure during service.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including POTS, headaches, SVT, fatigue, joint pain/arthralgia, fibromyalgia, orthostatic intolerance, and chest pain have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that he does not have a current disability and there is no evidence linking his claimed condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's left femur fracture with degenerative arthritis of the left knee has resulted in marked disability, including slight instability and limited extension. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability can be adjudicated.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the issue of entitlement to service connection for status-post left quadriceps repair, which was dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the left knee has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Service connection was denied for an eye disability other than hypertensive retinopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and a left shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute to or cause his accidental fall from a tree.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee ligamentous laxity, post-operative removal medial meniscus and trauma has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding both knees.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent under DCs 5260 and 5261. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating from February 4, 2015 to January 7, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the lack of evidence showing a link between current symptoms and military service. The claims for higher staged ratings for left knee disorder, right hip disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back arthritis, low back strain, bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip strain, including as a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that it is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation due to housebound status or need for aid and attendance is remanded. The Board finds it necessary to obtain a VA neurology examination to determine the etiology of left foot drop, which may affect eligibility for these benefits. Additionally, a new VA aid and attendance examination is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic conditions. Various issues of service connection and disability ratings are also granted or remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic knee injury during active military service and concluding that his current knee problems are not related to any in-service event or exposure.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on painful motion and limitation of motion, with no compensable flexion or extension. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.