Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as left and right shoulder disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions were not established during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability are all granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these claims based on in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, lower back condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hand and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to in-service injuries, but the VA examiner found no evidence of long-term effects from the in-service injury.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disorder is reopened, and she has PTSD as a result of active service. The Board finds the Veteran needs an examination to determine her current right knee disability status and whether any of these issues are related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied because the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in August and November 2021 are inadequate for adjudication, and another remand is required to obtain a new examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and right CTS, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to a lack of compliance with previous remands regarding obtaining VA treatment records from Biloxi, Mississippi prior to December 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to his right knee, including limited extension and scars.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 1, 2012. Prior to that date, the evidence does not support his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and remand are related to his hypertension, knee disabilities, pulmonary disability (COPD), sleep apnea, and TDIU. The claims will be addressed in more detail with further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, granting the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates earlier than March 18, 2004 for service connection of patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and left knee, as well as a right ankle sprain, have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, folliculitis of the shoulders, back, hips and thighs, subluxation and chondromalacia of the left knee, bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, de Quervain's tenosynovitis of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes, and right and left shoulder strain have been withdrawn. The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, residuals of an injury to the left index finger, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, chronic tendonitis and patella dislocation of the right knee, right knee scar, deviated nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disability with limitation of motion and instability have been rated at 10 percent each, effective throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 7, 2013 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.