Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to regulatory changes in the rating criteria for knee disabilities, specifically instability under DC 5257. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as accrued benefits. The left and right knee disabilities, dementia, and hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back disability, right knee condition, and high blood pressure due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, right hip, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing their onset in or during service.,The Veteran's current hip and knee disabilities are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to cold weather, foot disabilities, neck disability, knee disabilities, and shoulder disability. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment consistent with his work and education background.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his current condition is due to his active duty service. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's consistent statements regarding the onset of his knee pain during service and resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability, asthma, and migraine headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for his migraine headaches, effective from August 18, 2009.

The claims for service connection for OSA, heart disease, left knee disability, and right hip disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed as the current state of the Veteran's disabilities is not reflected in the existing records.,The Veteran’s testimony at his hearing indicates he may be related to service-connected PTSD for OSA and right foot injury, and secondary service connection claims need to be evaluated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the left and right knees due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions of knee pain since the 1970s.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with chondrocalcinosis and anterior cruciate ligament deficiency is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not adequately reflect his current level of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's symptoms of these conditions were present in service and have continued since then.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for left ankle, right ankle, cervical spine, and left knee sprain.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee sprain are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disability manifested by pain, right knee strain, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood and sleep disturbance. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service experiences and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including headaches, knee conditions, and back issues. The Board has ordered new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions due to a possible material change in the Veteran’s disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need of aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied.,The Veteran's claim for referral for extraschedular consideration for total disability rating for compensation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic right knee arthritis and atrial fibrillation, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, back, and neck disorders are granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses were related to in-service injuries.