Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right knee disorder and left kidney disorder due to new evidence received after the previous denial. The Veteran's service records show potential links between his current conditions and service, but further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis B. The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, concluding there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.,Veteran had hepatitis C diagnosed in 2001 and his VA examiner concluded it was not related to his service-connected hepatitis B. However, he did find that the Veteran's hepatitis C was aggravated by his hepatitis B.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma and COPD, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and right knee instability, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 3, 2016. The Board granted the TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee strain, broken left and right orbital bones, and left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection of high blood pressure is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability. The claims for sinusitis and deviated nasal septum have been denied, while the claim for allergic rhinitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome, back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right and left knee disorders have been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions are based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes a meniscal tear and other symptoms such as locking, pain, and effusion, has been rated at 10 percent since May 30, 2012. The Board has now granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bilateral knee disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee flexion disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were denied, including reactive airway disease, spontaneous ecchymosis, skin disorder, and cardiovascular disorders. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his respiratory condition or knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under relevant codes due to limited motion and x-ray evidence of arthritis. The current 10 percent evaluation is maintained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for right knee arthritis and residuals of right knee arthroscopy was denied. However, the Veteran received a full grant of benefits sought with a 60 percent rating from May 17, 2021, for residuals of right knee arthroscopy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including jumping from aircraft during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of certain medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 25, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new and updated evidence, as well as for further examination.