Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete evaluations prior to January 2021. The Veteran must cooperate with VA by attending a VA examination to provide retrospective findings regarding his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder type I and polysubstance use disorder, is etiologically related to his time in service. The Board affirms the grant of service connection for this condition. The claims for PTSD, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and gastrointestinal disability due to insufficient evidence in their initial evaluations. A new VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, left and right knee disabilities) did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions. The most probative evidence of record does not show that he was unemployable solely due to these conditions.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claims for back pain, TBI with post-concussive disorder, left elbow strain, left wrist strain, left knee degenerative joint disease with retained shrapnel, and right knee degenerative joint disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a disability rating greater than 30 percent from May 21, 2021 for right knee instability and arthritis due to lack of schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as to conduct further examinations. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions, and that any current disabilities are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the low back is granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent prior to July 2, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment, entitling him to a TDIU.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's asthma is also granted, but only as a result of his current diagnosis rather than due to an in-service event.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various rating claims related to his knee, hip, and radiculopathy conditions. The issues were not pursued further as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The issues include back disability, right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, qualifying him for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH). The claim for a special home adaptation (SHA) grant is denied as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and orthopedic disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU on schedular basis as he meets the criteria for one disability rated 60% or more and at least one disability rated at 40% or more with sufficient additional disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus, claimed as residuals of a concussion, is granted. The right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left knee disability due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition.