Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities, finding that they are secondary to his service-connected hand disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 10, 2015. Effective May 29, 2013, the Veteran was granted SMC based on his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was not caused by or aggravated by VA medical care, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 30 percent and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's right leg disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied as a matter of law due to the amputation rule.,For the period prior to December 2, 2021, the Veteran's right leg disability in Muscle Group XI is rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied as a matter of law due to the amputation rule.,For the period from December 2, 2021, the Veteran's right leg disability in Muscle Group XI is rated at 30 percent, and a higher rating is denied as a matter of law due to the amputation rule.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent and the claim for an increased rating is remanded.,The Veteran seeks service connection for his left knee disability. The current evidence does not support this claim, and another VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to November 30, 2015 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of inability to perform sedentary employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability and degenerative joint disease of the left knee from March 7, 2012 to August 16, 2020 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, including its onset during service and any relationship to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability, including IVDS, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's right knee strain was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurological impairment of the left lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurological impairment of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder disability was rated at 40 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and the reduction to noncompensable is denied.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and the reduction to noncompensable is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been granted. The appeal is denied for the claim of an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to warrant a compensable rating.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left knee has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, rating increases, and effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right wrist, left knee, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was denied as the weight of evidence does not support a finding that his current OSA began during or was caused by U.S. Navy service.,For the period from April 30, 2018 to May 7, 2019, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee disability (limitation of extension) was denied as there is no evidence showing that his knee extension was limited to 10 degrees or more during this time period.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically left knee meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease with cartilage defects, have been granted a 10% rating for the appeal period prior to August 27, 2021. For the appeal period beginning on August 27, 2021, the Veteran's right knee disability has also been granted a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia (abnormal fat disposition), hypertension, glucose intolerance, anemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, fatty liver disease, splenomegaly, right groin muscle strain, RLE varicose veins, LLE varicose veins, and RLE venous insufficiency are all being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, limitation of flexion and extension of the left knee, nocturnal leg cramps of both lower extremities due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee chondromalacia with minimal degenerative change, intermittent chronic strain was denied as there were insufficient examination findings to evaluate the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her left wrist disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left breast cyst. The issues have been returned to the RO for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus, right leg disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity idiopathic neuropathy, bilateral foot condition, and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to total left knee arthroplasty due to insufficient opinions from the VA examiner.