Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disorders. The case is REMANDED to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of sleep apnea.

The Board found that the discontinuance of the separate 30 percent rating for asthma was proper and denied the appeal. The right knee disability issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current examination report.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder.,Prostate cancer, kidney condition, and bladder condition are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Back disability is granted as secondary to service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease (left knee disability).,Right hip disability and left hip disability are both remanded as they may be related to service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clarification of the January 2019 VA examination and the need for another VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and patellofemoral syndrome, has been granted service connection. The acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), has also been granted.,Service connection for the right knee disability is established based on direct evidence of a current condition, continuity of symptoms since service, and in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left and right knee chondromalacia patella as they require additional development, including range of motion testing in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

Service connection for left hand arthritis is granted. Service connection for residuals of ruptured left Achilles tendon is denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder and right knee disorder are remanded, as new evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee conditions are remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the use of assistive devices.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical DDD and left knee DJD have been denied. The case is REMANDED to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be further developed, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, National Guard personnel records, and conducting additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for low back and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports from prior remands.

The Veteran's left knee has full extension and flexion to 90 degrees, with no limitation of motion. The right knee also has full extension but limited to 90 degrees in flexion.,Both knees have been rated at the 10 percent level for limitation of motion.

The Veteran's mental disorder, claimed as PTSD and an unspecified anxiety disorder, was caused by service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a denial of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, insomnia, tobacco abuse, and substance abuse have been denied. The Veteran also has had his initial ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, left hip sprain with degenerative arthritis, residuals of left knee injury, status-post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and medial meniscus repair with degenerative arthritis and scars, left knee instability, right knee sprain with degenerative joint disease, and residuals of left thumb injury denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to new VA medical records being added to the claims file. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection will be reconsidered after this.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective May 21, 2015. The Board also granted a TDIU from May 21, 2014 to June 3, 2016 as part of the increased rating for PTSD. The right knee issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right leg disability due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider additional functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and rating for his ankle, back, hip, and leg/knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to allow for additional examinations by an orthopedic specialist.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, finding that the evidence did not show a causal relationship between the current condition and service.