Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for left knee post total knee replacement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral knee condition secondary to a low back disability is denied.,Service connection for sleep condition secondary to low back disability is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a sleep disorder.,Cervicogenic headaches are found less likely than not caused or aggravated by service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's bilateral hip condition is remanded as there are no STRs from Germany available for review.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a right knee condition due to incomplete records and further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations based on additional medical records obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and knee, foot, and hand disabilities, require additional evidence due to outstanding VA medical records. The appeal is remanded to obtain these records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, granting service connection.,Service connection is granted for the right knee disorder and right ankle disorder, but a rating greater than 20 percent for the left shoulder disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee arthritis is granted, and the effective date for additional compensation for a dependent spouse is denied. The Veteran was previously denied service connection in February 2004 but new evidence supports reopening his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and remanded several other issues due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claim of having osteochondritis desiccans of the right knee, which began during military service and continues today. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the development sought as part of the April 2022 remand and has therefore ordered further development for service connection claims related to left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and assessments.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus remanded the cases for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to use a wheelchair and motorized scooter for locomotion. The Board granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete examinations. Additional evaluations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is not granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) as there is no verified stressor for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee arthritis disability status post total arthroplasty as secondary to his service-connected left hip condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various hip, shoulder, knee, and spine disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms during or following service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.