Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, right knee tendonitis with limited extension, and shin splints of the right leg are being addressed.

The Board has decided the service connection claims and found them denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a jaw disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a right knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for residuals of epidermal cysts, a TDIU, and an increased rating for right knee disability are currently before the Board.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted an increased rating of 30% for limitation of extension from February 27, 2014 to February 22, 2018.,A separate 10% rating was granted for instability prior to February 22, 2018. A 60% rating was granted for arthritis starting April 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition is related to his service. The VA examiner needs to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous right knee pain since service and provide an opinion on its relation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and inadequate VA examinations. The claims are related to secondary service connection, but no specific exposure basis or presumption was provided.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's active service duties as a Navy diver are considered, along with any preexisting conditions and their potential impact on current knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gunshot wound residuals and scars, hip pain and numbness, knee pain, PTSD, and skin rashes due to herbicide exposure. The appeals are granted.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection and rating appeals, as well as his request for TDIU. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder, lumbar spine strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded due to insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings for a left shoulder/arm disability, PTSD with depression, and spondylosis of the cervical spine. The appeal for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a left foot injury. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left elbow scar is granted, but he remains denied for right thumb/hand scars and right axillary scar.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a left foot disability is granted. His claim for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied, and the issues of service connection for right knee disability, back disability, and respiratory disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of plantar warts, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of various conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's lung condition, low back disability, status post left below knee amputation, and status post bowel resection are all in question.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include pseudofolliculitis barbae, right eye condition, and left knee condition.

The RO has restored the Veteran's 40% disability rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative joint disease with lumbar disc herniation, effective May 1, 2020. The issues of increased ratings and earlier effective dates remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right ankle and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records from orthopedists who have treated him. The TDIU claim is also being remanded for further development.