Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, but a higher evaluation is denied. A separate 10 percent evaluation for recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation under the pre-amendment criteria for Diagnostic Code 5257 has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hand and wrist condition, sleep disorder, lower back condition, right foot condition, and right knee condition are all remanded for further development.,The Board finds the VA opinions inadequate and requires additional medical opinions on whether these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, were evaluated based on their current manifestations. The Board denied higher ratings for these conditions as they did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis has been granted a 30 percent rating. The right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unverified stressors. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric, back, right knee, and left knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires additional development for the claims of service connection for hypertension, right ear condition, sinus condition, left knee condition, and low back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as chronic joint pain (fibromyalgia), due to the need for a Gulf War medical opinion regarding objective indications of disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a right leg disability, including residuals of a lipoma, radiculopathy, and right knee strain. The Veteran's attorney requested additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right lower rib disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.,Regarding his low back disorder, the Board finds additional medical opinion necessary to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with metatarsalgia.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee DJD with chronic ACL graft tear prior to April 29, 2020, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding records relating to the Veteran's cervical spine and knee disabilities, and that records previously submitted by the Veteran were incomplete. The Board directed the AOJ to request the Veteran authorize the release of any outstanding records relating to his surgeries and subsequent physical therapy.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability, a right elbow disability, and a left elbow disability. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these disabilities are related to his military service.,There is no credible evidence showing that any of the Veteran's current knee or elbow conditions had their onset during service or were caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to a lack of an explicit VA examination, requiring further medical evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a lumbosacral spine disability and increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis due to additional evidence being added to his case file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

Service connection is granted for dry eye syndrome of the right and left eyes, but service connection for a left knee condition is dismissed. The claims for COPD, bronchial asthma, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his left knee repetitive strain injury and service connection for a respiratory disability, including a dry cough are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, which are claimed as secondary to service-connected plantar warts of the right foot. The medical opinions provided were inadequate and further development is required.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for a left index finger disability. The claims to reopen for service connection for left knee, heat-related, and right knee disabilities are granted. Service connection is denied for right knee, left knee, back, neck, and heat-related disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all granted as service-connected.