Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and there is no reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, ankle, and knee disorders due to insufficient medical evidence. The claims are being returned for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.,The Veteran has multiple unresolved claims related to his military service, including those involving his shoulders, back, hips, elbows, hands, wrists, and knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee and right shoulder conditions, finding no credible evidence of an in-service event or injury that could cause such conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for depression, left foot disability, and bilateral hand disability has been granted.,New evidence shows that the Veteran experienced pain in her hands which can constitute a disability. Her claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability is reopened.

The Veteran's OSA was granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including weight gain from other service-connected conditions. His migraine headaches prior to November 18, 2016, were also granted a 50% rating based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee flexion and extension limitations, as well as SMC based on aid and attendance. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated under the criteria for limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that any increase in her preexisting knee disability was due to natural progression.

The Board has denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left knee disorder as the evidence does not show a current disability of either condition.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, and left arm disabilities are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary causation or aggravation.

The Board has found that remand is warranted for the Veteran's knee disabilities and hemorrhoids due to missing VA treatment records, lack of recent private medical records, and inadequate September 2015 VA examination. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities and hemorrhoids.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions and non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again for service connection as secondary to their right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right below the knee amputation was denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The claims of increased ratings for bilateral pseudophakia, left patella chondromalacia, and bronchial asthma are remanded for further examination and rating considerations. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and the appellant's military service.

The Veteran's service connection for right and left knee disabilities was granted with effective dates of May 9, 2016. The right knee sprain manifested by painful limitation of flexion is granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives and need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been remanded for further evaluation due to issues with instability and limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and low back disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions of in-service noise exposure and injury, as well as continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right inguinal hernia and scar associated with hernia repair are remanded due to the possibility of increased severity.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach ulcers is remanded as there has not been an opinion regarding any relation to medication taken for his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion on secondary etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a condition of the hips (claimed as bone deterioration) is remanded due to potential relation to radiation exposure during service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right inguinal hernia, stomach ulcers, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knees are remanded due to need for additional examination on secondary etiology.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability is remanded as there is need for assessment of current functional impairment caused by service-connected disabilities.