Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and right foot drop conditions. The clinician is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or any other factors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee condition and service connection for a depressive disorder have been remanded. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically in terms of range of motion and functional loss during flare-ups or repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities or due to normal aging. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder remains in remand status.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis has been rated at 10 percent since October 2011, and a separate 10 percent rating for limited motion and pain was granted. The left knee osteoarthritis has also been rated at 10 percent since October 2011.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is now rated at 10 percent with the addition of a separate 10 percent rating for limited motion and pain, while his left knee osteoarthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an increased rating for PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo VA examinations for both his bilateral knee disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current respiratory disability, hearing loss of the right ear, or right ankle disability. The Veteran also did not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, right index finger metacarpal fracture, left ear hearing loss disability, positive tuberculosis skin test, hypertension, hemorrhoids, scars of the right knee, left ankle, and tailbone, or hidradenitis suppurativa. The Veteran's TBI claim was granted.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: initial evaluation for a back disability, service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to a back disability, service connection for a right knee disability, and service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the lack of adequate medical opinions regarding his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disabilities due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right and left knee strains, as well as service connection for residuals of prostate cancer and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and erectile dysfunction, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service or any other related conditions.,Specifically, the VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's current right knee conditions were more likely due to aging, obesity, and professional use in his career as a building inspector. For erectile dysfunction, they attributed it to bladder cancer and subsequent chemotherapy.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left foot disorders. The VA is requested to obtain expert opinions on these issues.

Service connection is granted for left calf cramp and pain disability.,Service connection is granted for right calf cramp and pain disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a right knee disability, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The lower back disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's lower back disability, bilateral foot disorder (including paresthesias), and patellofemoral syndrome of the knees have been granted service connection.,New evidence has reopened claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his entitlement to a higher rating for total right knee replacement with degenerative arthritis and right knee instability, as well as TDIU. The AOJ should request detailed employment information from the Veteran and provide him an opportunity to submit supporting documentation.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has ordered additional development for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for hypogeusia, service connection for a neck disorder, service connection for a back disorder, service connection for a right knee disorder, and service connection for chronic right leg numbness. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine the current severity of his hypogeusia and medical opinions will be obtained regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been granted, with the left knee rated at 10% since August 31, 2007, and the right knee rated at 10% since January 17, 2013.