Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for mild patellofemoral cartilage degeneration of the right knee, jaw condition, unspecified chest pains, kidney condition, dermatitis/eczema, and respiratory condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for knee strain, chondromalacia, and instability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, and for an appropriate VA examination of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various knee and thigh disorders as well as a psychiatric disorder. The decision also includes a remand for additional development regarding treatment records from VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU, financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment due to new evidence received after the March 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging a new VA examination, and ensuring substantial compliance with prior orders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied because he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.,The Veteran is entitled to service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin condition, lung and/or breathing condition, left knee injury, right knee injury, cardiovascular problems (formerly claimed as heart problems), and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has restored a 10% rating for the Veteran's left knee scars and granted a separate minimum 10% rating for instability. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the severity of the left knee disability, including instability, and for consideration of TDIU.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as secondary to her service-connected left hip disabilities. The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for an addendum medical opinion regarding its relationship to her service-connected right knee and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 2, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to the need for further development of the medical evidence.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and TDIU as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, including lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hand disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, and ankle disorders. The claims are being returned to obtain addendum opinions from VA medical professionals.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection for his left knee disability. A remand is required to obtain an addendum VA opinion addressing the specific contention that prior to his right knee surgery he had a double limp with created a severe limp in his left knee, as well as an adequate opinion on aggravation of nonservice-connected disabilities.,A remand is necessary for a new VA examination and rating determination due to the Veteran's testimony of worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a fractured nose with deviated nasal septum. A remand is required for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition, including sinusitis or rhinitis if applicable.,A TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for right knee disability and thus must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the issues of higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, status-post total left knee replacement, and right knee, as well as a TDIU prior to March 24, 2017. The remand is due to incomplete opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups at relevant VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran requested that his appeal be withdrawn from the legacy appeal system and considered under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine (including scoliosis), and sciatica disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from appropriate clinicians.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional diagnostic codes.