Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as it began during service and has persisted since then.,Service connection for a neck disorder secondary to the right shoulder impingement syndrome is denied. Service connection for a right knee disorder secondary to left knee degenerative arthritis is also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a lung disability. The appeal regarding these conditions is being remanded due to additional evidence added to the record since the July 2019 SOC.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, or knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to be related to service, as there were no documented blood pressure readings during service that would support a finding of the condition. The Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to his post-service activities and lack of treatment for many years after separation.,For the right knee disability, the VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by the service-connected right ankle disability. The Veteran did not report any knee issues during service and there were no documented complaints or diagnoses related to a right knee condition until 2014.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were rated based on limitation of motion, with the ratings being denied or remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral elbow and knee disabilities due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected widespread musculoskeletal pain and weakness or fatigue. The VA must provide a new opinion addressing the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right big toe and right knee conditions have been denied. The claim for left shoulder condition is being remanded.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's right big toe or right knee conditions, as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability that began during active service.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims on appeal are decided, and thus remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active duty or were related to in-service injuries.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left shoulder disabilities. Therefore, another remand is required to ensure proper development of the records and obtain a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the Veteran's record, and the AOJ needs to review this additional information before making further decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment after April 2014 was not substantially gainful and he did not have physical or mental limitations preventing him from obtaining or engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to April 2014.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinion and lack of consideration of certain factors.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome is remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. A new examination is needed to assess the effect of pain, weakness, fatigability, or incoordination on the Veteran's functional ability after repeated use over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology attributable to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition is a current disability that began during his active service and continues to this day. The decision grants service connection for the left knee condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including bilateral hearing loss, various musculoskeletal conditions, and GERD. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has granted clothing allowances for calendar year 2014 for the use of back and bilateral knee braces, but denied a clothing allowance for the use of a topical skin cream due to lack of evidence showing irreparable damage to outer garments.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA examination and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and right little finger fracture.