Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination findings, specifically missing non-weight bearing and weight-bearing range of motion assessments for the Veteran's knee disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination by an expert in musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His left knee, right knee, and neck disorders are not found to be related to service or any other basis for service connection. Infectious hepatitis in-service is denied due to resolution of the condition.

The Veteran's headaches are found to have begun during service and continue today, granting service connection.,Service connection for a right knee disability was granted in July 2022, thus dismissing the appeal on this issue.,While hypertension is currently present, there is no evidence it began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy are found to be at least as likely as not related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.,Service connection for a bilateral eye condition secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted.,A right-hand disability is found to have begun during service, granting service connection.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and is related to snoring issues that began in service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back and knees disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the denial of his TDIU claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, bilateral knee disabilities, and back disability due to incomplete development. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding whether these conditions had an onset in service or are related to service.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches began during active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The right knee disability, residuals of TBI, and memory loss are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 1, 2012. From January 29, 2020, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, left ankle strain, and left knee disability based on the Veteran's lay reports of symptoms starting in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and skin disabilities should be remanded due to inadequate medical nexus opinions in the original decision. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, provide an examination to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities, and consider whether they are related to active service.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the decision-making process and has ordered further development for both issues on appeal.

The Board has restored service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the severance of these conditions was improper due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence of their non-incurrence during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee conditions are causally related to service, granting service connection for both.

The Veteran's right leg above the knee amputation is rated at 50% effective June 20, 2016. The appeal for an earlier effective date of service connection and discontinuation of SMC based on housebound status are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hand, knee, and cervical spine injuries due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's Reserve service includes periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability, right knee disability, and low back disability. The claims for increased ratings of osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service injury and any present disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied as her failure to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause shown.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain and right knee disability have not been shown to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 27, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.