Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, a headache disorder, and major depressive disorder as secondary to the headache disorder. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to their respective service-connected conditions. The Veteran also received a TDIU for the period from October 25, 2016, to April 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate discussion of the Veteran's reports of repetitive use of his knees during service and a prior private opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, but the claims for TMJ syndrome, residuals of facial surgeries, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and right wrist conditions. The VA must obtain new medical opinions that comply with the remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral foot disability, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of neck, ankle, knee, and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for service connection for gastrointestinal, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was also granted for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteochondral lesions of her knees and lumbar spine, as well as her breast cancer status post radical mastectomy. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of service personnel records regarding her Army National Guard service from 2008 onwards and outstanding private treatment records from Drs. William Gamel and Catherine Parker. Additionally, the Board requested an examination for the Veteran's breast cancer claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of his ongoing reports of pain since discharge from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left and right knee disabilities is remanded. The claims for increased ratings of low back strain with DJD and TBI are also remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee shin splints with patellofemoral pain syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since July 2018. The Board finds that an additional VA examination is needed due to worsening symptoms and recent surgery, as well as the need to consider revised schedular criteria for rating musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine DJD and strain, and cervical spine DJD have been granted service connection. The initial rating for CFS has also been increased to 60 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to the Veteran's knee conditions. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with appropriate notice and forms, including VA Form 21-8940, to pursue this claim. The Veteran and his representative are encouraged to submit completed forms as they will assist in adjudication of the matter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records. The right knee, thyroid, thoracolumbar strain, right foot, left knee, digestive problems, and psychiatric disorder issues are all subject to further review.

The Board has remanded the increased rating claims for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his sleep disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including treatment records, and undergo examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding sarcoidosis, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities without assistance. He is granted SMC(l) based on aid and attendance from August 2, 2005, to August 16, 2010, as well as SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1).