Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right foot/ankle disabilities are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding records and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim can be adjudicated due to lack of VA examinations for his claimed disabilities. The Veteran served on active duty from May 1970 to September 1973 and had in-service treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, including knee, leg, and ankle issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, as his service-connected disabilities make him unemployable.,Claims for earlier effective dates for left lower extremity radiculopathy and hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence, including a need for updated VA treatment records, an orthopedic examination of both knees, and an extraschedular opinion regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, were remanded by the Board. The case is now back before the Board for further review.

The Veteran is granted total disability ratings for all service-connected disabilities in combination prior to January 19, 2022 and a total rating based solely on his acquired psychiatric disorder from that date. He also receives SMC at the housebound rate starting from January 19, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a neurologist regarding whether his service-connected bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy 'precludes locomotion' without the aid of external assistive devices.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, right hip, left hip, right arm, right knee, and right ankle disorders due to unsuccessful attempts to contact him at his current address.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as PTSD. The thoracic spine disability claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to new evidence potentially impacting employment status.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the issue of an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The right elbow scar has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Other issues are REMANDED for further development.

The appeal for service connection of a left great toe disability has been dismissed. The appeals for the remaining conditions are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee internal derangement due to incomplete service department records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his knee and diabetes disabilities, as well as the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to address continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and left ankle disability are all remanded for further development. The Board found that the current ratings of 10 percent do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. Additional evidence was also added to the record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee meniscal tear, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the shoulders, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral hearing loss. However, due to the complexity of these cases, additional development is required as they are currently being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left ankle conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of May 31, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues related to sleep apnea and a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to May 31, 2018.