Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were initially rated noncompensable prior to March 28, 2016 and granted a 20% rating since then. The left knee disability claim was denied outright. The Veteran's gastric ulcer with GERD received initial noncompensable ratings prior to March 28, 2016 and has been rated at 10% since that date.,The Board found insufficient evidence of a current left knee disability or any in-service injury leading to the denial of service connection. The Veteran's gastric ulcer with GERD received initial noncompensable ratings prior to March 28, 2016 and has been rated at 10% since that date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back and left knee disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed all service connection and increased rating claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for left knee chondromalacia based on instability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show 'moderate' subluxation or lateral instability of the left knee, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations and opinions. The issues include service connection for various knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle disabilities, all secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral ankle disability, finding no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for a dermatological fungal disability of the bilateral foot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to exposure in Southwest Asia, as they are not related to a specific exposure event or an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's symptoms have been evaluated but no clear diagnosis could be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals on several issues, and some of the conditions are already rated appropriately.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, lower back, right hip, left hip, and left knee disorders due to a lack of compliance with VA's duty to assist in obtaining private medical records. The Veteran submitted new evidence from a private doctor that suggests his current conditions may be related to an accident in 1960.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment, so he is not entitled to a total disability rating based upon unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may contain relevant medical information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertriglyceridemia and recurrent periodontitis have been denied as these conditions are not considered disabilities for VA compensation purposes.,Multiple other claims were also included in the September 2014 remand, but service connection was either established or not transferred back to the Board. The Veteran's gout, LeFort I osteotomy residuals of the maxilla and mandible, kidney stones, and knee claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are not fully addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination and etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee condition, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected back and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's full-time employment from August 31, 2011, to September 9, 2012, and from November 21, 2012 to July 2, 2014, indicates the Veteran was not precluded from engaging in substantially gainful employment for these time periods.,The Veteran's employment status during the period of September 10, 2012, to November 20, 2012 and from July 3, 2014 to January 13, 2015 is unclear based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of chronic sinusitis and right wrist disability. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

Service connection for fatigue has been withdrawn.,Service connection for left knee arthritis, eczema, and right shoulder disorder have been granted. Service connection for left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and sleeping disorder (insomnia) have not been established.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee total replacement, effective October 1, 2017. The decision is based on chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and requests that updated treatment records be associated with the claims file, a VA knee examination be scheduled, and then the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition be readjudicated.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right shoulder condition, major depressive disorder, obesity (related to OSA), and hypertension. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability have not been linked to his active duty service.