Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo claim cannot be granted as there is no confirmed diagnosis of vertigo. The respiratory, left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disability claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints due to conflicting medical opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with the left knee also receiving a separate rating for cartilage damage. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's right knee disability claims, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, left knee disability, and heart condition due to inadequate examinations and lack of evidence addressing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to December 13, 2012. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities at the time of the February 2016 and November 2017 VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for tinnitus, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (both legs), right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and chronic left ankle pain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is also service connected.

Service connection for DDD at L2-3 with narrowing and anterior/posterior osteophytes is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder is reopened, and the claim is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is also reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal and knee disabilities, as well as sleep apnea. Additional medical records are needed to support or refute his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, hip, and knee disorders due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left knee disability and sleep apnea due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's complete service treatment records, including those from his Reserve time, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and a right eye disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection was denied due to the absence of medical nexus or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities due to a 1978 motor vehicle accident. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any relevant military treatment records from an Army base in Germany where the Veteran was stationed in 1978.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shin splints and left heel spur.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to his left knee disability, and for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities would have precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the last decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee injury will be reconsidered by the RO.