Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding his service-connected right knee disability and back disorder, as well as incomplete treatment records. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, claimed as anxiety and depression, and for insomnia has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right foot disability has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence since the March 2010 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hands, knees, and feet. The decision is based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, and vascular disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,Bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that they do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The appeal regarding service connection for a right knee condition is dismissed. The appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified trauma disorder and for an initial compensable rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence not being received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened, as well as the claims for right foot condition and knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee condition, right shoulder tear, and face skin rash due to insufficient evidence in some cases. Additional examinations are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, finding that her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left knee, upper back, and low back disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria of a hearing impairment for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury, memory loss, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for further examination or evidence.,Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's left knee condition and chronic fatigue syndrome are remanded for additional development.,The severity of the Veteran's diagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome until December 31, 2021 is to be determined. The nature and etiology of his essential thrombocythemia/chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm is also to be determined.,The need for SMC based on aid and attendance or being housebound due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including those currently on appeal, is to be determined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee meniscal tears have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back and right knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations, potential worsening of conditions, and need for additional medical opinions regarding psychiatric and sleep impairments.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disorder is granted. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except facial scars have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The appeal for reopening/reconsideration of facial scars is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right shoulder disability, claimed as right shoulder pain; dry eye syndrome; cataracts; and dental disability (teeth grinding) have been denied. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability has been reopened but not granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and restoration of a rating due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected right knee instability.