Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or caused by service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, including diagnoses of left knee plica syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome, was caused by active service or service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and/or left foot pes planus. The examiner must provide opinions regarding these issues without relying on previous opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for impaired fasting glucose, ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cataracts, vitreous degeneration, right knee disability, left foot and right foot plantar fasciitis, IBS, diverticulosis, cholelithiasis, inguinal hernia, prostate enlargement, hypertrophy of the prostate, kidney cyst, microscopic hematuria, thick walled bladder, esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and stricture and stenosis of esophagus have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by evidence showing a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee tendinosis with patellofemoral syndrome, as well as separate ratings for instability and limitation of flexion. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the interrelated nature of these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current knee and elbow conditions are not related to his service, while his left shoulder condition is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The right shoulder condition remains unclear due to a pre-existing condition at entrance into service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a left foot disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and recurrent subluxation of the right knee. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the highest rating of 10 percent for each knee. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's left below-the-knee amputation and right ankle ulcer, finding that the weight of the evidence did not support a claim that these conditions were caused by VA medical treatment.,The Board also found no evidence to support the Veteran's contention that he received an overdose of medication at the VAMC Jackson facility, which allegedly worsened his pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 9, 2021 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine the current severity of her service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current left knee disability and his military service.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide your claims as they are no longer pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to new evidence of worsening knee disabilities and potential secondary thigh disorders. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a torn lateral meniscus and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 20 percent effective July 14, 2021. The rating is for instability of the joint.

The Veteran's claims for left knee pain and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The diagnoses are presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, respiratory disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his combined disability ratings did not meet the required percentage standards, and he failed to provide necessary information for a complete evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

Your initial compensable ratings for scar of right hand, third finger; scars of the right knee and ankle; left knee degenerative arthritis; total right knee replacement have been dismissed.,Your appeal to reopen service connection for a right shoulder injury has been dismissed.