Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle sprain and right knee disorder, finding no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and hip disabilities, as well as his residuals of a stomping injury to the left foot, onychomycosis of the left foot, and athlete's foot of the left foot, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began in service or are otherwise related to service.

The appeal with respect to residuals of frostbite of the right foot is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, GERD, a right shoulder disability, a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and flat feet are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of relevant records, including medical treatment records from his VA medical center in Phoenix, Arizona. The Veteran also needs an adequate opinion on whether his knee conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's stepson, L.B., is recognized as a helpless child due to his cerebral palsy.,Service connection for left knee arthritis and swollen lips (claimed as hives) are granted based on in-service burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee ACL tear and osteoarthritis with limited flexion prior to June 7, 2016 is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for post-operative scars on his lower extremities and for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling VA examinations and a need for further development of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for high blood pressure, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease. The right knee disorder was also found to be related to service and secondary to his left total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as a right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for a painful right knee scar is granted at 10 percent prior to October 26, 2020. From October 26, 2020, the rating remains at 10 percent. A compensable evaluation for sinusitis throughout the appeal period is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee and right great toe disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria, but his left ear hearing loss disability is considered unlikely to have been present at separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports a nexus to active duty service.

The Veteran's kidney condition and right knee disability were denied service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right ankle disability was also denied.