Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder. The examiner did not conclusively find that the condition existed prior to service or was aggravated by service, and made contradictory statements in their opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups and prolonged use.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to withdrawal. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine, is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee pain is found to be incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for cold injury residuals of the left hand, right hand, left foot, and right foot are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability and back disability due to incomplete service treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain these records, including from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and Navy Personnel Command. Additionally, VA should request any relevant private or incarceration-related medical records.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to April 1, 2009 is being remanded due to the grant of benefits in November 2021 and the need for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for right knee osteoarthritis to left knee strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as the claim for a TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left wrist and knee disabilities, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and a retrospective medical opinion. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for left shoulder disorder with carpal tunnel syndrome is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent disability rating for chondromalacia with instability of the right knee, which was previously reduced to 10 percent. The reduction was found to be improper due to a lack of a full and complete examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD and depression, are related to her military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed due to the withdrawal of all issues by his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to address the Veteran's contention that his left knee condition is secondary to his service-connected right knee and bilateral hip conditions. The RO must issue a supplemental statement of the case considering these theories.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, based on limitation of flexion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.