Knee decisions — 2022

The case is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability at the time of his April 2014 VA examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is granted, but his tinnitus and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination. The right eye vision impairment claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, finding that further examination and opinion are needed due to insufficient previous opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, including right knee limitation of flexion and left knee instability, were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee.

The Board has denied an increased rating for right wrist sprain and remanded other service connection claims. Additional examinations are needed to assess the severity of left elbow olecranon bursitis, knee disability, back disability, neuropathy of hands/feet, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder disability, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being evaluated again, with a focus on obtaining more detailed information about their current severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee strain and low back condition are related to service, and whether his current conditions are aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a low back disability, right elbow and left elbow disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, and right knee and left knee disabilities. The issues were decided on the merits as direct service connection was not established.

The Board denied service connection for an enlarged heart and denied evaluations greater than 10 percent for right knee instability and a right knee disability based on limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate examination. The RO is instructed to obtain updated medical records, a new addendum opinion from a healthcare provider considering all relevant evidence including the February 2016 primary care note, and attempt to resolve any birthdate discrepancy with Colleton Medical Center.

The Veteran's disability rating for left knee limitation of extension was granted from December 30, 2016. A higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not show limitation to 15 degrees of extension. The Veteran's disability rating for left knee limitation of flexion remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, finding that they are proximately caused by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service records and inadequate VA examinations. The issues include back disability, psychiatric disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, lymph node disability, and evaluation of a recurrent left ankle sprain.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to new evidence and outstanding VA treatment records. The RO must consider the new evidence in determining whether TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess his right knee disability and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various evaluations related to his knee conditions due to his request to withdraw the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and was not aggravated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are being remanded due to inadequate analysis regarding the presumption of soundness.