Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for head injury, nausea, and right knee disorder due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee condition and scar is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The appeal for the issue of shortening of bones of the lower extremity, to include as secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease is dismissed.,The claims for right hip and right knee conditions are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea, but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability (patellar tendonitis).,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with cervical spine degenerative disc disease is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues related to the appellant's discharge and service connection claims. The specific issue of whether his character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits is also being addressed.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post total replacement has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from December 1, 2018 onwards. The Board denied his claim as his functional loss does not more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings and service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, finding that it began during his active military service and is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder is remanded. The Veteran also has claims for hypertension, heart disease, fatigue, hand disorders, knee disorders, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded as it may be secondary to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder or due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has claims for heart disease, fatigue, hand disorders, knee disorders, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease is remanded as it may be secondary to his hypertension or due to in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has claims for fatigue, hand disorders, knee disorders, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue is remanded as it may be related to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot disorders, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disorder is remanded as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by muscle cramps in the left lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by muscle cramps in the right lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of the left lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder of the right lower extremity is remand as it may be due to his presumed in-service herbicide exposure or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, foot, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, and neurological disorders that are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of the right foot disorder is remand as it may be related to his presumed in-service combat injuries or due to his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran also has claims for hand, knee, and neurological disorders that are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and verification of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 11, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to anxiety disorder) due to insufficient examination opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Right Shoulder Strain with Degenerative Changes have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to the right knee, left knee, and PTSD, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ear disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability warrants restoration of a separate 20 percent rating for post-operative internal derangement under Diagnostic Code 5257, but remanded for further development regarding increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability but has remanded to determine the degree of aggravation of his right knee disability by his left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder condition, headache condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar strain, and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence of service connection. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the remaining issues on appeal, including obtaining service treatment records and any relevant United States Postal Service medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for clarification on whether the Veteran is seeking to appeal solely the rating reductions or both the rating reductions and increased ratings from 1986.