Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and back disability, as well as the claim for TDIU due to insufficient examination reports in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, postoperative left inguinal hernia repair residuals, right shoulder disability, and left hip disability are all denied as the evidence does not support a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee disabilities require additional examination to determine their current severity, as well as whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions. The AOJ should ensure all relevant records are obtained and provide a new VA examination for both disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches are caused by his service-connected bilateral pes cavus with metatarsalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the left and right foot, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left and right knee, and left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy. The Board has granted service connection for these headaches on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee trauma residuals are granted. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss since June 28, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful noncompensable motion, has not met the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic right ankle sprain with arthritis and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, hepatitis C, and arthritis of the lower extremities are all granted as service-connected.,However, his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PVD remain in dispute and need further examination.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left and right knees have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability has been denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran’s GERD may be related to his military service and exposure to chemicals in service. Further examination and opinion are needed.,The Veteran's back disability may be related to his military service and exposure to chemicals in service. Further examination and opinion are needed.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability may be related to his military service and exposure to chemicals in service. Further examination and opinion are needed.,The Veteran's neck disability may be related to his military service and exposure to chemicals in service. Further examination and opinion are needed.,The Veteran's right elbow disability may be related to his military service and exposure to chemicals in service. Further examination and opinion are needed.,Further examination and opinion are needed for the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety. The left ear hearing loss claim is denied, and the right foot, left foot, right knee, and TDIU issues are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not that his current condition had its onset during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for right knee disability and has determined that a reasonable doubt exists regarding whether the current condition is related to service. The decision grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his bilateral knee conditions, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and sinus condition. The Board will consider these findings in determining a final decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as moot due to the assignment of a 100% combined schedular rating for all service-connected disabilities since December 26, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not show these conditions were present in service or within one year of separation.,The Board also found that the Veteran's current psoriatic arthritis, psychiatric disorders, liver disability, and circulatory disorder are not related to his service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee DJD, bilateral hand condition (limited use), and allergies have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.