Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied compensation claims under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cervical, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, gastrointestinal condition, and skin condition other than skin cancer and/or skin lesions, including tinea cruris. The evidence of record does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disorder, dizziness, migraines, and brain disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and no higher, for the entire rating period. The other disabilities are either denied or granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a 30 percent rating for the period prior to February 11, 2020, and since then. The decision also includes an issue of entitlement to TDIU related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left femur fracture.,Service connection has also been granted for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,However, the claim for gastrointestinal disorder, to include IBS and GERD, is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as service treatment records, which need to be obtained in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint/disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and osteoarthritis of the left knee. The Board also found that the previous VA opinions were deficient and requested addendum opinions from an appropriate examiner.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the current diagnoses are not related to active duty service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, bilateral hip disability, and right knee disability are all found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral hip and right knee disabilities as they are considered direct service connections.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right shoulder and elbow disabilities (both secondary to the service-connected left shoulder disability), cervical spine disability, OSA, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered service connected.,Service connection was denied for all issues except for tinnitus, which was granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hip replacement, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and left shoulder impingement syndrome. The effective date for the award of a 10 percent rating for residuals, fracture transverse processes L3 and L4, right is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence, including failure to discuss functional loss during flare-ups and range of motion testing. A new examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, but denied service connection for a patellar bone spur of the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during combat, which led to his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect standard used by the January 2022 examiner and a failure to discuss the impact of gait alterations caused by service-connected right ankle and foot disabilities on the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and a need for further development regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions of continuous pain since service.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service continuity or recurrent symptoms that would warrant granting these claims.