Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and failure to address specific evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for right knee, neck, and acquired psychiatric disabilities (to include PTSD). The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left lower leg scar was rated at 10 percent prior to February 4, 2021 and at 20 percent thereafter.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a combined disability rating of 70 percent due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of an adequate opinion addressing the impact of flare-ups on his knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lower back disorder, and bilateral shin splints due to evidence of current disorders during the period on appeal and potential service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on their instability and limitation of motion. The left knee has received increased ratings, while the right knee remains at a 10 percent rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder due to insufficient reasoning in the August 2021 VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU/DEA benefits related to his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lower back, right lateral leg, and right knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected epididymitis due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and active service or service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis with sciatica is being considered for aggravating his knees, and an opinion on whether his hands and feet joint disabilities are related to service will be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his right ankle sprain was withdrawn during the August 2021 hearing.,Claims for hypertension and ED, both secondary to PTSD, were denied in November 2016. No new evidence has been submitted that could reopen these claims.,Claims for left knee condition and right knee condition were also denied in December 2016. Again, no new evidence has been submitted that could reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right ankle sprain rating was denied.,Service connection for IBS was granted.,Service connection for fibromyalgia was denied.,A 20 percent disability rating, but no higher, was granted for the left ankle condition. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating based on this appeal.,The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for numbness, muscle and joint pain, migraines, memory loss, and lower back conditions.,Claims for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and patellar or quadriceps tendon rupture, is rated at 60 percent effective October 4, 2021. The rating takes into account the current manifestations of instability and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, are being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of these conditions. The Veteran also seeks service connection for hip disabilities secondary to his knees.

The Board has determined that the claims for bilateral knee disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy must be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

Your appeal on the right knee and left knee disability claims has been dismissed due to your death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with these matters as you are no longer alive.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and shoulder conditions due to insufficient examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain missing service treatment and personnel records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diagnosed right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to obtain relevant medical records.