Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether a right knee disability is related to service or pre-existing conditions. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis B, alopecia, and hypertension as secondary to HIV. The claims for a back disability, right knee disability, chest pain, colitis, and ulcers of the rectum were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to a lack of VA treatment records and an inadequate reasons and bases for denying the claims. The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and right ear hearing loss. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted, and the Board found that a remand is necessary due to insufficient evidence. The right knee disability and partial salpingectomy rating appeals are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were rated at 10% prior to May 18, 2017. The Board found no evidence of instability or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right knee conditions, as well as an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral hand, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are service-connected. GERD, sleep apnea, and breathing disorder were not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee pain, cervical spine pain, lumbar and thoracic spine pain, and bilateral hip pain. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service parachute jumping activities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was initially denied in November 2008 and reopened due to new evidence. The claim for left knee disability was also reopened, but the psychiatric disorder claim remains denied.,The Veteran's right hip disabilities were granted effective from May 17, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render her unemployable, and she was employed on a full-time basis prior to January 3, 2016. Effective January 4, 2016, the Veteran is granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee conditions and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs additional examinations, especially for his left knee, and he is given another opportunity to submit information for his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and impaired fertility. The denial was based on lack of evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service incidents are also being considered.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities are being returned to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right kneecap injury, right knee scars, and residuals of trauma to fingers of the left hand. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of an explosive C4 accident during his active duty in Japan.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee conditions are related to service. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services at Park City Hospital on October 7, 2015 is denied as the treatment was not for a 'medical emergency' and does not meet the criteria for payment under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since March 5, 2018.