Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disorders have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has also remanded his claims seeking service connection for hypertension, a heart condition, hypothyroidism, and a right foot disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition and for meningitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not due to in-service events or exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and low back disorder, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The issues must be addressed again with consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in February 2002, and no new evidence was submitted within one year of that decision. The Veteran did not file another claim until April 5, 2017, which is the effective date assigned by VA.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a missing medical record from 1974, which may help determine if the Veteran's right knee disability was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for mixed sleep apnea was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition. His claims for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and left knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's internal bleeding (claimed as fluid on the knee/hydrarthrosis) is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's upper back disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's lower back disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's tinnitus rating is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted so that the previously denied claim is reopened. Other claims are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for depression, feet problems (gout), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the August 1992 rating decision. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances, and fibromyalgia (claimed as weakened stability in upper and lower extremities and painful joints). The Veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not service-connected.,The VA examiners provided negative opinions for direct service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected left knee disorder, which includes symptoms of frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion to the joint.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, effective September 1, 2018. The reduction from 30 to 10 percent was found improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary life conditions.

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current right knee disability and breast cancer with double mastectomy, as they are not related to service. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee condition has resulted in stiffness and pain prior to November 3, 2021. From that date forward, his right knee condition has not been limited beyond 15 degrees of extension, which provides for no greater than a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for impairment of right knee external cutaneous nerve due to right knee surgery is denied as the evidence does not establish more than moderate incomplete paralysis, which does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg and knee conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.