Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and vertigo, finding that there was no causal link between his current conditions and his military service. The Board also found that the July 2016 and January 2020 VA opinions were adequate in assessing the relationship between the Veteran's knee disorders and back strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay contentions of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease and remanded the claim for migraine headaches due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition is proximately due or the result of his service-connected left knee condition, and if it was aggravated by that condition.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, bilateral elbow, bilateral wrist, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to meet McLendon v. Nicholson criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional opinions.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board found that they do not warrant higher ratings based on limitation of motion.,For his left shoulder disability, the Veteran was initially awarded a 10 percent rating in March 2007 and later increased to 20 percent in August 2020. The Board concluded that he does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis based on both limitation of flexion and limitation of extension, and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia of the left knee were denied. The maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection is denied for hypertension as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between current hypertension and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, as it is unclear whether his current condition is directly related to his military service or if it is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The decision also notes that there are gaps in the record regarding the Veteran's Reserve service and civilian occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination, and a new one must be conducted.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right mandibular fracture, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right hand disability, and service connection for a left shoulder disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for a TDIU is also REMANDED as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since October 7, 2009. The Board denied an increased rating for both knees as the current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining an outstanding medical record from Tyndall Air Force Base.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for right knee limitation of flexion or extension, as her range of motion was within functional limits.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and failure to address an alternative theory of service connection.