Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for a Sharp compliant examination.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee total joint replacement, right knee replaced broken leg, numbness in left leg and foot (secondary to left knee total joint replacement), left shoulder arthritis, lower back/lumbago, left ankle, and sinusitis. The reasons provided include the lack of a nexus between these conditions and active military service.,The Board found that there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's time in active duty.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected due to a documented injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits are granted with an effective date of January 22, 2009. The effective dates for both benefits are contingent on the permanent total service-connected disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, back, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions related to the Veteran's left knee ACL tear and arthritis. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or caused by the Veteran's active-duty service. The decision also denied service connection for residuals of a broken left foot toe.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatitis, bilateral feet is dismissed. The claim to reopen a back disability is denied as no new and material evidence has been received. Service connection for sinusitis (claimed as congestion) is granted. The claims for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, a bilateral foot disability, a stomach disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back and right knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted after the Veteran's hearing.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement was granted a rating of 60 percent, effective from April 3, 2019. The Veteran's cholecystectomy was denied an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that her current right knee osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by her in-service sports-related injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed disabilities, including left upper extremity, bilateral feet, bilateral hips, bilateral knees, bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% from May 5, 2021 and thereafter. The left knee condition does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as it is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his pure tone thresholds did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities were remanded due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on regular aid and attendance, but the case is remanded to obtain opinions regarding a potential additional disability related to delay in fulfilling the Veteran's request for crutches, wheelchair, and VA orthopedic evaluation after his left knee separated or dislocated. The case is also remanded to determine if the Veteran has an additional disability caused by or aggravated beyond its natural progression by treatment for service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection for a right knee strain.,Additional development is needed due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration of his bilateral knee disability and left elbow disorder.