Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopic repair and ACL reconstruction is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain the Veteran's complete reserve service personnel records, including all DD Form 214s issued after 1991.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since March 25, 2015.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and PTSD with TBI are granted. The lower back herniated disk issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. High cholesterol and psychiatric disorders are denied. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 12, 2021. The decision also grants an increased rating for left knee disability and service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy of the middle radicular group.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective March 26, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, vision loss and light sensitivity, and bilateral hearing loss are related to service. However, due to a lack of examination for these conditions, the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's skin cancer, subcutaneous cysts, left knee and back conditions, esophageal condition (hiatal hernia and / or GERD), and stomach problem (gastritis) are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors, specifically failure to obtain medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and rating considerations due to incomplete information regarding the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's skin cancer, subcutaneous cysts, left knee and back conditions, esophageal condition (hiatal hernia and / or GERD), and stomach problem (gastritis) are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left ankle, left shoulder, and right knee conditions due to incomplete compliance with prior directives. The VA clinician must provide a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination and lack of information regarding her cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a May 2015 right knee surgery, finding that the evidence does not support a finding that the residuals were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, or similar incidence of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and right foot disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar related to head trauma, left knee condition, right-hand condition, low back condition, and TBI. The Veteran is also receiving an increased rating of 10 percent for his right knee limitation of flexion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial may support reopening of these claims. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is alleged to have caused or aggravated his current knee conditions.