Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder of the ribs on the right side is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right leg and right knee disorders due to inadequate VA opinions. The case is sent back for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 30 percent for the right knee disability from April 1, 2019 is denied. The appeal for TDIU from May 1, 2020 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence collection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not support an earlier effective date than April 18, 2017.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's scars of the wrists, knees, and left shoulder were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as service connected. The claims for hypertension, chronic otitis externa (right ear), sinus condition, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations related to his left knee condition. The case is now back with the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee, upper back, and lower back disabilities. The claims are being returned due to inconsistencies in the service treatment records and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's bursitis/ tendonitis of the left knee was rated at 10 percent, and this decision denies an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral chondromalacia, as well as service connection for Achilles' tendonitis and Haglund deformity of the left heel. The issue regarding Achilles' tendonitis and Haglund deformity of the left heel is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection, while the claim for inguinal hernia is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability evaluation based on the need for convalescence following his left knee surgery is remanded due to an incomplete consideration of his total knee replacement.

The Veteran's left knee disability has worsened since the last VA examination in May 2019, and a remand is necessary to assess his current symptoms accurately.

The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner will assess whether obesity acts as an intermediate step connecting his obstructive sleep apnea to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for insomnia, arthralgias, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and right knee disability have been dismissed. The claim for chronic fatigue is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU prior to June 9, 2019 due to inadequate development of evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to address his right knee disability and functional impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder (to include hearing loss and hyperacusis), right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee stress fractures, bilateral tibia stress fractures, and bilateral ankle disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding her current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis and right knee disorder due to insufficient evidence, including incomplete service records and lack of nexus opinions.