Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities, as well as a left foot disability. The decision is based on inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a heart disability are reopened. The Board finds remand necessary to verify the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicide agents in Germany and to obtain an examination to assess his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, missing records, and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran will need new examinations for his left knee, cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 3, 2017, finding that her service-connected conditions did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection granted for tinnitus, a right knee condition, and osteoporosis of the skull secondary to hyperparathyroidism.,The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence provided since their previous denials.

The appeal for diabetes mellitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of infectious hepatitis, but service connection remains denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to lack of relevant VA examination records.,Left knee disorder is remanded as there are no current VA examinations available for review.,Right knee disorder is remanded due to lack of current VA examinations and incomplete medical history.,Neck disorder is remanded because the etiology of the condition needs further clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The claim for service connection of a bilateral eye disability is remanded due to outstanding records and need for an examination.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the current conditions are not related to in-service parachute jumps or any other events during active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis were determined to be naturally occurring and age-appropriate, with no evidence supporting a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition had onset in or was otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities are being reviewed again, along with consideration of recently amended VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, left knee condition, and right knee condition are dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee condition is granted service connection. The cervical spine disorder and bilateral ulnar neuropathy are remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate to address the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hip disability have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his employment history during the appeal period, despite meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues related to his service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee strain, and hypertension. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's right knee disability was not productive of actual or functional limitation of extension to 45 degrees; limitation of flexion to 45 degrees; recurrent subluxation or lateral or patellar instability; dislocated semilunar cartilage; removal of semilunar cartilage; ankylosis; impairment of the tibia and fibula; or genu recurvatum. As a result, his claim for increased evaluations was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and heart disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The claim for service connection for residuals of rocket fragment to the left side of his head has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The effective date is not earlier than August 13, 2012.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of August 13, 2012. An increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to herbicide exposure has been granted. Service connection for hypertension (HTN) and other conditions have not yet been resolved.,Service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral elbow arthritis remains pending.,Total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.