Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders are all granted service connection.,The Veteran's low back disorder is also granted service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee condition from October 2008 until August 2017, as well as his functional loss during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral gastrochnemius strain, right knee strain, and left ankle strain. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by medical records, including VA examination reports.,The Board found that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's claimed disabilities began during active service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left total knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for consideration of additional evidence submitted since the July 2017 statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied. The Board finds no current disability associated with the right knee, either by diagnosis or showing of functional impairment. Service connection for bilateral ankle disorders is remanded as there are no VA examinations assessing these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left-hand disability, right-hand disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, and left foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations and missing non-VA medical records. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for macular hole of the right eye and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (claimed as arthritis).,Service connection is also remanded for a right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his lumbar spine, left and right sciatic nerve disabilities, and right knee disability are related to service or caused by his service-connected left total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and bilateral shin splints disorders due to a lack of substantial compliance with the December 2021 decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his back disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease were not granted an increased rating as they did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection was denied for right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's pending appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are still pending. The TDIU issue must be readjudicated after these appeals are resolved.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are insufficient and remands for new examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will be provided with new, adequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle conditions due to a lack of evidence regarding in-service vaccinations or injuries. The case is returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his injury occurred during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee instability due to new evidence received after a previous SSOC.