Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability should be remanded due to unclear information about his periods of active duty.

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rotator cuff syndrome and prepatellar bursitis of the right knee, finding that new evidence supports a possible association with military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, OSA, a respiratory disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and a back disability are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and a bilateral knee disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will attempt to obtain missing service records and provide medical examinations to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left and right knee DJD (with limitation of flexion) and right knee DJD (with limitation of extension) was denied. The Veteran had limited range of motion in both knees, but no evidence of ankylosis or other complications.,The Veteran also appealed for a rating for his right knee symptomatic removal of cartilage with locking and effusion, which resulted in an episode of locking without swelling.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected. The issues of a separate compensable rating for ilio-hypogastric and/or ilio-inguinal neuropathy, service connection for plantar fasciitis, right knee degenerative arthritis (post meniscal repair), and left knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome as they are unclear due to a lack of recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to worsening of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and right foot disabilities, as evidenced by his recent purchase of a brace. New VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, right leg amputation at the knee, amputation of the left fourth toe, foot ulcers, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disability, inguinal hernia, and scar on left groin are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and employment information. The Veteran will also be scheduled for an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral pes planus, but denied these claims. The Board also remanded several issues related to knee disabilities and TDIU prior to April 24, 2020.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer (due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune), left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional bilateral knee disability due to a fall at the Oklahoma City VAMC was denied as it did not involve VA care or treatment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain with lumbar radiculopathy, right knee disability, and bilateral hip bursitis are not service-connected.,Further clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA medical examinations are inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service.