Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims are currently pending.,Service connection is denied for bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the Veteran's ability to perform sedentary work.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals.,The Board has also remanded several issues, including an evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, a compensable evaluation for left testicular varicocele with right testicular pain and tenderness, an evaluation for restless leg syndrome, and service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that there was no evidence of a need for regular aid and attendance prior to September 17, 2013. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony and medical records indicating periods of assistance but not a consistent need.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for service-connected right knee strain prior to June 16, 2021 and from June 16, 2021 due to incomplete medical examination findings.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The Board finds that the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, scoliosis, and right sciatic radulopathy are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and right foot bunions are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee degenerative arthritis and thoracolumbar spine DDD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other manifestations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle conditions due to incomplete development of records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, service connection for a right ankle condition and diabetes mellitus, type II, and service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to the submission of additional evidence not previously reviewed by the AOJ. The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee disability, service connection claims for eye disability, joint pain, neck disability, headaches, and prostate cancer are all being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his duodenitis is granted with a 20 percent rating. The claims for service connection of left knee degenerative joint disease, low back condition, and radiculopathy are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran served multiple parachute jumps during his military service, which he attributes to his current knee and ankle conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left shoulder strain, left knee disability, or lumbar spine condition at any time during the relevant period. Service connection was also denied for PTSD as it did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for metatarsalgia, bilateral foot. The left knee condition issue is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for right and left knee disabilities, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder based on the appellant's credible lay statements of in-service injuries and current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his right and left knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected hallux valgus. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the prior decision, which did not obtain all relevant private treatment records and scanned medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylolisthesis, adjustment disorder, left knee strain, tinnitus, and right elbow trauma, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.