Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for right knee arthritis/bursitis was granted. The Board also confirmed and continued the previous denial of the claim, but found that new and material evidence had been received since the March 2009 rating decision. Service connection for right knee DJD is now established as related to active duty service. Additionally, left knee strain secondary to right knee DJD on a causation basis was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, right and left shoulder disabilities, and neck disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VistA Imaging records and a VA knee examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and upper extremity conditions due to inadequate etiological opinions in previous VA addendum opinions. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and ankle disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for right lower extremity (RLE) sciatica secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to September 7, 2016 was denied as his service-connected left knee disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee injury, including whether it was aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee conditions due to service connection, as they are secondary to service-connected hip and/or lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's representative requested an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring a new evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected left knee torn meniscus with fibrous dysplasia, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including right knee disability, left knee disability, chest pain, throat/respiratory disability, and eczema. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding right knee ACL repair and meniscal disability evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability prior to August 30, 2021 and thereafter, and a compensable disability rating for chronic headaches prior to August 30, 2021 and an increased rating thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee limitation of motion and instability, as well as the TDIU claim prior to August 29, 2012. The VA examinations are required to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right knee and throat conditions are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding their relation to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability, as no higher rating was warranted based on the evidence.