Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities require additional development due to new evidence received since the April 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2022 VA examination report. The issue will be remanded for a new examination to assess the extent to which his service-connected disabilities impact his ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities have interfered with his ability to maintain gainful employment prior to October 17, 2018. The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from January 1, 2015 to present is granted due to his service-connected left knee disability preventing him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide additional relevant records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the cases of initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and seborrheic dermatitis.

The Veteran's flat feet have been granted service connection with an effective date of March 17, 1976.,Service connection has also been granted for low back pain, bilateral ankle and knee pain, as well as hallux valgus, Morton's neuroma, and hammer toes. Acne was also granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran will need to provide VA with any outstanding treatment records from VA facilities in Florida and Georgia, as well as undergo examinations to address the issues of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for foot fungus and a right knee disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he attributes to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee condition have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, further examination is needed as the Board cannot proceed without a medical opinion on whether service connection can be established through an intermediate step theory.,Further examination is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which may affect his sleep apnea and knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his right hip disability claim has been granted. His GERD rating remains at 10%. The Board finds the case remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, increased ratings, and other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee gout with patellofemoral chondromalacia due to an inadequate examination in December 2021. The Veteran will be reexamined by VA to determine the current severity of his knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of supporting evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional treatment records from Dr. H.C. at the Whitaker Clinic of UAB, and a new medical opinion must be obtained regarding his sinus condition, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a neck disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.,The Board remanded the claims for service connection of bilateral ankle and knee disabilities due to new evidence received since final rating decisions.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,His claims for service connection for left arm disorder (previously characterized as left shoulder disorder) and right knee disorder (previously characterized as right leg disorder) have been reopened with the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right eye disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, and headaches have been denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the issues of service connection for sinusitis and headaches.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling for degenerative arthritis and 20 percent disabling for instability, effective October 15, 2012, and February 7, 2021 respectively. The appeal is granted for the higher rating.