Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for skin cancer and a bilateral knee disorder, secondary to a bilateral foot/toe disorder, have been denied. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish direct service connection for the skin cancer or determine that the knee condition is related to the foot condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disability of residuals of left ankle injury with reflex sympathetic dystrophy with arthritis and total right knee replacement.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, various knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the current ratings for her knee disabilities are appropriate, but noted issues with her ankle and shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the left knee and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee conditions, bilateral pes planus, hypertension with chest pain, low back condition, tinnitus, radiculopathy, patellar subluxation, painful motion in knees and feet, and hearing loss, precluded him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment beginning July 1, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left lower extremity, right lower extremity, low back, and bilateral foot disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee condition is related to his service-connected right ankle and right knee conditions, but needs further evidence to make a determination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection for right shoulder strain, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral shin splints. The appeal is REMANDED for additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for further development and examination. The issues include cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and knee disabilities; TBI, sleep disorder, memory loss, cognitive problems, headaches, mood swings, and concentration/decreased focus issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knee are granted as service-connected. The cardiovascular condition is denied.,Service connection for a heart condition is not established.

The Veteran's asthma with bronchitis is rated at a 30 percent disability rating. The Board has found an increased evaluation for the Veteran’s asthma with bronchitis is not warranted. The left knee, diverticulitis, and chronic kidney disease claims are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and tinea versicolor is rated at 30 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as sinusitis with aggravation of hay fever or rhinitis, are granted.,Service connection is established for bilateral knee conditions (left and right) due to the presumption that such conditions may be related to active duty. The claim for sinusitis is also granted based on a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that effective dates earlier than the assigned ones cannot be granted for various claims due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed in relation to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical evidence, specifically regarding the range of motion and instability of the Veteran's right knee. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and arrange for an adequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted and rendered moot due to the grant of service connection for right ankle disorder in April 2020. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.