Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder tendonitis, left knee instability, left knee arthritis, and related disabilities due to inadequate evidence. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

Service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory condition due to environmental hazard exposure are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for retrospective medical opinions regarding range of motion during flare-ups.

The Veteran's temporary total evaluation (TTE) for a right knee meniscectomy is denied, and the claim for service connection for a sleep disorder due to his service-connected right knee disability is also denied.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to September 30, 2011. The Board also found that he is entitled to initial ratings greater than 20 percent for his left knee disability and greater than 10 percent for his right knee disability prior to September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including chondromalacia patella and limitation of flexion in the left knee, are currently rated at 10% each. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, foot, and neck conditions due to inadequate VA examination reports. The examinations did not provide sufficient information on the onset of these conditions during active service or their relationship to other disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for the right hip disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of rating greater than 10 percent prior to October 28, 2014, and greater than 30 percent thereafter for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, including dizziness and mild memory/cognitive complaints, are rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 20, 2020 do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. From January 20, 2020, the Veteran has a combined schedular rating of 100 percent and TDIU cannot be granted on the basis of one service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for low back and knee conditions, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and service. The claims will be reconsidered after the necessary examinations are completed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine on a direct basis.,However, the Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral eye condition (secondary to service-connected Meniere's disease).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inconsistencies in previous rating decisions. The Veteran's left and right knee disorders are currently rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension), respectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella and left knee instability due to insufficient range of motion information from previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, as well as PTSD, are all granted due to their relationship with active service.,Service connection is established for arthritis of the left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle. Additionally, PTSD related to military sexual trauma (MST) is also granted.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's deviated septum claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability but has remanded his claim for lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at 10 percent and no higher, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.,The effective dates for service connection of MDD, right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, right knee anterior scar, and tinnitus have not been earlier than August 29, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral ankle arthritis, bilateral foot arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, and lower back arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records.