Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral knee strain due to new and material evidence. The claims for right and left knee strains are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board denied claims for service connection of various conditions and dismissed three claims as withdrawn. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, prior to January 21, 2020, was also denied.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection of a left knee disability and remanded it for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and right hip disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is related to her military service and granted. The right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran is seeking SMC based on housebound status and a TDIU, but there are outstanding records that need to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot due to the award of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing. The TDIU claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted them. The appeals are remanded to further develop evidence for each issue.

The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities were denied service connection, with the right knee DJD rated at 10 percent. Separate ratings for symptomatic removal of cartilage from both knees were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities as secondary to a low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.,His right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are not considered for VA purposes as they do not meet the criteria of a current disability.,The Veteran's back disability, bilateral knee strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left knee gout are found to be related to his military service.,However, due to conflicting evidence and opinions, the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied. The decision on this issue is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension and instability, but no higher. A TDIU on an extraschedular basis has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and foot conditions, have impacted his ability to work. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the need for an examination considering the occupational limitations caused by these disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claims during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee condition remains rated at 10 percent, while his left leg nerve damage claim is pending.