Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), C5-6, lumbosacral strain, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,Service connection is established for these conditions based on the evidence showing a relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, as well as patella tendonitis with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease of the right knee, are each rated at 20 percent disabling. The appeal is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition due to lack of evidence of a current disability and no credible indication of an in-service event.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for a determination on entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to November 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and bilateral tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes and remand is necessary to obtain a new examination. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee instability are intertwined with other knee claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right hip and left knee disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, and low back disability due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's periods of active duty training (ADT) and in-service training (IDT) are noted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral knees, left ankle, and hips due to concerns about the qualifications of the VA examiner who conducted the examinations. The Veteran's representative requested additional information regarding the qualifications of the June 2021 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right fifth finger and right knee disabilities due to incomplete service personnel records. The Veteran's file will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding that his current right knee strain is related to his in-service injuries and complaints of knee pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The RO assigned a temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatments necessitating convalescence for the right and left knees, effective from December 8, 2016, to February 1, 2017, and October 1, 2019, respectively. He was also granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss in June 2020.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate for adjudicating this case and has ordered additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and determining if combat conditions apply. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered in assessing her claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee strain and subluxation, as well as his TDIU claim due to lack of recent VA examinations and treatment records. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, based on his education, training, and work experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.