Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and specially adapted housing due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not permanently preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Claims for maculopathy, left eye; hepatic cysts; right knee degenerative arthritis; and left knee degenerative arthritis are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an increased rating for left knee disability. The claim for service connection of PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders is remanded.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU, but this issue is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent for severe recurrent instability, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for symptomatic partial meniscectomy from September 11, 2014. The appeal is denied as the Veteran's TDIU is moot due to his combined 100% disability rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for right knee recurrent subluxation from November 7, 2018. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for migraines and tendonitis of the right knee is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the frequency and severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his status post medial meniscectomy and degenerative joint disease, was evaluated at various levels prior to April 9, 2019. The Board found no basis for an increased rating based on instability or additional functional loss due to pain. However, the claim is remanded as new evidence suggests a need for further examination of the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's facial discoloration due to a burn injury during service is granted as service connection. The lumbar spine, left knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate to support a decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lower back condition, left knee condition, and sleep disturbances are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and wrist disabilities due to potential issues with the evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional records and an examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and training as a combat medic, and for a new VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection, including those for Hepatitis C, PTSD, Right Knee Condition, Tuberculosis, Cervical Spine Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, and Diabetes due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for left knee arthritis and subsequent total knee replacement, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's in-service knee conditions and his current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition and a neck condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to her service-connected disabilities.,The evidence did not support a secondary or aggravation theory of service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee instability and osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome from February 3, 2006 due to outstanding treatment records and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 30 percent for limitation of extension from January 29, 2009 to September 8, 2015 has been granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals as to several service connection claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.