Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability but denied service connection for a left knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's statements and medical evidence indicating that his right knee disability began in service, while no left knee disability was found.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed left shoulder strain and impingement syndrome, cervical strain with myositis, lumbar strain with myositis, bilateral iliopsoas tendinitis of the hips, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, right ankle tendinitis, chronic left ankle sprain, and bilateral lateral epicondylitis of the elbows.

The Veteran's right knee, left shoulder, neck, and lumbar spine disabilities were denied service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in not obtaining a medical opinion prior to issuing the March 2021 decision on appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to rely on assistive devices for mobility. The Board has granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back and left knee conditions, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence supporting these claims.,However, the issues regarding right hip, right knee, and left hip conditions have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent from January 23, 2019. The right knee instability is granted an initial rating of 10 percent effective December 8, 2015. The right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis remains at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2020 and thereafter in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to January 1, 2018 has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.

The appeal for service connection for a thyroid disorder is dismissed. Service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, and left knee disability are granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during service. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it involves secondary service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability and right ankle disability are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine the current severity of these conditions, as well as their etiology. The examiner is asked to consider whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric condition due to issues with obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for spine disability and bilateral knee disability, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The case is REMANDED for further action on the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee lost flexion and extension, as well as his TDIU claim due to outstanding evidence and further review by the AOJ.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee strain. The examiner did not provide an adequate service connection opinion, which is necessary for this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies between VA examinations and additional medical records. The Veteran will receive a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of a VA radiology diagnostic report from shortly after the Veteran's discharge, which suggests degenerative changes in his knees. The Veteran's left knee disorder is being reviewed again for potential service connection.