Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous directives and for obtaining an appropriate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and her service-connected hallux valgus.

The Board dismissed the appeals for rating excess of 10 percent for service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee arthritis due to a lack of a VA examination, as required by McLendon v. Nicholson.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and requests for authorization forms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral leg and knee disabilities, dental disorder, and unemployability due to individual disability. Additional evidence must be obtained from the Veteran and VA records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports, and a new examination is required to assess the current severity of the left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again as it may be related to their service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and bilateral knees due to insufficient evidence in the medical opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The issues on appeal include evaluations for various knee conditions and scars.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected shin splints and feet disability.,The Veteran is also granted a 10% rating for each of his bilateral shin splint disabilities.

The Board denied an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability, finding that the Veteran's current impairment does not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms and examination findings.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, is rated at 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating remains denied as the evidence does not support an increase in these ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability evaluations for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee and right knee can be adjudicated on the merits. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the progression of the Veteran’s bilateral knee symptomatology, with an emphasis on functional limitations during flare-ups.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right ear retracted tympanic membrane.,Right knee and low back disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including heart disability, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, and a psychiatric disorder. The primary issue is whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected PTSD or due to herbicide agent exposure.