Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims as they are now moot.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that a VA opinion is needed regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as the evidence supports that his current condition likely resulted from an injury during active service.,Service connection is also granted for hypokalemia, but not hypertension or residual scar, due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, sinusitis, and a left knee disability as there was no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service, and the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder osteoarthritis are granted as service connected. The Board found the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service credible.,The Veteran was hospitalized for a head injury in 1982, which is considered to be a TBI resulting in current residuals including mood disorder not otherwise specified.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. A 20% rating was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for a right knee disability has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU benefits prior to April 27, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to procedural issues and the need to verify her dates of Army Reserve service. The right knee condition claim requires a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 26, 2017 due to inextricably intertwined issues with other pending claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, including Osteochondritis Dessicans, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during his short period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, heart condition, and headache condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his right knee disability prior to July 6, 2022, and from that date as 20 percent disabling.,The Veteran's right knee effusion from July 6, 2022, warrants an additional 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted an increased rating of 20 percent from August 7, 2018. The left knee disability also received a similar increase in rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, otitis media of the right ear, and onychomycosis of both feet. A mental disorders examination is also required.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders. The Veteran needs a VA orthopedic examination to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record to determine if these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence from the previous examination and the Veteran's refusal to undergo another VA examination. The case is returned to the RO for further action.