Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed without prejudice. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims seeking service connection for chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, uterine fibroids with anemia, a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a right hand and thumb disorder must be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back, left hip, right hip, and left knee conditions. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's left knee condition is being reviewed again as there are outstanding records that need to be obtained, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims for a back condition, left knee gout (claimed as gout), and hypertension. The issues are related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, which is characterized as contracture and unilateral primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the right knee with an artificial joint. The claim was based on the theory that this condition is secondary to a fracture of the great toe of the right foot.

The Veteran's left knee disability with limitation of extension and instability have been rated at the maximum allowed, and further increases are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and remanded his claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, right foot condition, and left foot condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee conditions and mental health issues, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, and left foot disabilities. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for a disability manifested by chest pains and blurred vision. These conditions are not linked to his period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance has also been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, right knee disability, prostate cancer, left knee scar, and residuals of right ring finger fracture due to new evidence received. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of current disabilities due to active service or any incident of service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, chondromalacia patellae, patellofemoral dysfunction, and meniscal tear. The conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for tendonitis of the right and left shoulders prior to April 7, 2014 are denied.,The Veteran's entitlement to evaluations in excess of 20 percent for tendonitis of the right and left shoulders for the period beginning April 7, 2014 is also not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and a total knee replacement, is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back and left knee conditions are inadequate. The claims for service connection are therefore remanded to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 13, 2014. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and right knee scars are pending.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claims for right knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the right knee claim.