Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions and an incomplete VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not granted on a presumptive basis as there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral knee disorder due to the absence of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding no current diagnosis of such a disability.,Service connection was also denied for a chronic right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing the Veteran had such a condition during or within one year after service discharge.,Restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity was not found to be related to service and thus, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and right total knee replacement, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims were remanded multiple times for additional examinations and evidence. The Board found that the most recent examination complied with previous directives, but some ratings remained unchanged due to lack of corresponding rating decisions or notifications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and right knee pain have been reopened. The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claims, but further examination and opinion are needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder tear, right knee strain, and left knee strain have been granted. The remaining issues were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected sinusitis. His left knee arthritis is granted on a direct basis, and his bilateral hearing loss remains at 0 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right eye, and left eye disabilities. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development regarding a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's claim for SMC prior to December 4, 2014 was denied as his service-connected knee disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to conflicting audiometric findings. Further VA audiological evaluation is necessary.

The Veteran's acromioclavicular joint arthritis with rotator cuff tear, right shoulder is granted a 40 percent disability rating. Service connection for left knee condition and right hip disability are also granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, left ankle, and right foot disorders are denied as there is no current disability or credible link to his military service. Service connection for lumbar spine disorder, neck disorder, left foot disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches remains pending with additional medical opinions required.

The Board has granted service connection for status post right knee arthroscopy. The other issues of service connection have been remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 10 percent, and the right knee replacement with degenerative changes also warrants a 10 percent rating. The appeal for a higher rating for his left knee has been denied. Additionally, he was granted TDIU effective August 15, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient information provided by the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's left knee disability during flare-ups prior to April 2019 and the use of assistive devices for both knees.