Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left knee conditions was denied. The claimant received a 20 percent rating for meniscal tear, but the other two issues were not granted.

The Veteran's OSA was granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities, as well as the right and left shin disabilities, were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, meniscal tear, and mild DJD is related to his active service. The Board granted the claim for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to April 11, 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability that is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, but the claim remains pending as it requires further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss disability is granted. The initial compensable rating claim for the left fourth finger fracture is denied, and the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss disability is remanded. Service connection for headaches and bilateral knee disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's eye disorder, right hand disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, left arm disorder, right arm disorder, shortness of breath, muscular pain (shoulder joint pain), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are not service-connected.,The Veteran's difficulty standing for a long period of time is not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including a neck disorder, headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The appeals are being remanded to schedule examinations for these issues.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for asbestosis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the right knee disorder of status post total right knee arthroplasty, finding that the preexisting condition worsened during service and granting it as a result.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and hip conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back, bilateral knee and ankle, and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient examination reports and outstanding records. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings or service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee arthritis and/or right ankle fracture. The case is being remanded for a new VA addendum medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability (degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear) and left knee disability (degenerative arthritis and internal derangement), finding that both disabilities are at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury, continuity of symptoms, and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, right knee disability, and headaches have been denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II to include as due to exposure to herbicides, hydraulic fluid, or secondary to a back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for service connection of a back disorder and skin disorder (claimed as fungus condition, bilateral feet) is granted. The claim for service connection of a left knee disorder is denied. The appeal seeking total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for right knee disability, to include as secondary to a left hip disability, must be remanded due to inadequate previous VA opinion and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for hiatal hernia and GERD due to new evidence received after the appeal was certified to the Board.,Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions as there is no competent medical evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are granted, as they are related to parachute jumps during active service.,The Veteran's recurrent epistaxis is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during his Gulf War service.