Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee sprain, PTSD, abscess of the left ear, and myofascitis of the upper back, have impacted his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 23, 2019. The case is being referred for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's facial injury (diplopia) is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.,For the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that they are manifested by ankylosis, nonunion of the tibia and fibula, limitation of extension to 30 degrees, or chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in either knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete documentation.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee degenerative arthritis and left ankle disability due to conflicting evidence regarding their presence.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the left knee brace used due to his service-connected left knee disability in calendar year 2015.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's periods of Reserve service and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for right elbow medial epicondylitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), right knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, intestinal neoplasm (claimed as colon cancer), liver abscess (claimed as liver disease), and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis, left knee, status-post medial meniscectomy has been rated based on limitation of motion and instability. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of any diagnosed knee disabilities, including whether they are related to service or secondary to other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 20 percent rating, and service connection for tinnitus was granted. Other issues were remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to evaluations for various knee disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current level of severity and range of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations, and a new examination is required to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as back disability due to secondary service connection. The Veteran needs a new examination with an examiner other than those who previously examined him.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous examination requirements and for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left meniscus tear, but denied an increased rating for his overall left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete service records and need for further development regarding his exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no competent evidence of arthritis or any other disorder in service or within one year following discharge from service. The Board also found that the current left knee disability is not related to service.