Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral athlete's foot but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability due to lack of sufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of initial ratings for various foot, ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions since April 1, 2011. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records from providers who treated him after April 1, 2011, and any relevant VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The evidence showed no chronicity of symptoms in service and no post-service treatment until many years after separation.,The Board also denied service connection for a left knee disability, noting that there was no chronicity of symptoms in service and no post-service treatment until many years after separation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were denied for increased ratings, but granted with specific ratings based on limitation of extension and instability.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hip and knee disorders is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded, while the claim for an increased rating for pes planus is granted with a 30% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids should be January 16, 2014. The Veteran's claims for allergies, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The rating reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was improper, and the 30 percent rating is restored. The Board finds that remand is required to obtain adequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's left ankle and left knee conditions.

The rating reduction of the right knee patellofemoral syndrome from a 40 percent rating to a noncompensable rating was improper and restoration of the 40 percent rating is granted. The Veteran's entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome is also remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain missing service records from the appellant's Texas Army National Guard service, as no attempts have been made to contact the Adjutant General of Texas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination findings and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding pain and functional impairment. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating. The Board found that remand was warranted for additional development and examination regarding his right knee, right knee scars, back, bilateral shoulder disabilities, right hip, and sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, and back condition due to incomplete medical records from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran contends that his current knee and back conditions are related to intense physical training during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck disability, left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand finger conditions, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection will be determined based on whether there is a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 20 percent effective May 14, 2013. The neck disc problem (degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine) is rated at 20 percent. Post-traumatic headaches are rated at noncompensable. TBI is rated at noncompensable. Service connection for left knee disorder and left elbow disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical inquiry and examinations to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate prior examinations. The case is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's tendonitis, right shoulder (major) is rated at 30 percent for the period prior to September 19, 2017. Ratings in excess of 20 percent are denied for left knee strain and right knee strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new examinations being needed and an addendum opinion on secondary service connection.