Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for neck and right knee disabilities, as these issues are related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and related radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral elbow disorder and right knee disorder due to lack of a diagnosed condition, but the Veteran reported pain in these joints. The case is sent back for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, but dismissed his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability. The rating for the Veteran's back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and work experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and chronic strain with arthritis, right knee due to insufficient evidence in their respective examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and medical opinions. The issues of service connection for left knee and hip disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee instability is granted with a 20 percent disability rating effective May 22, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings prior to June 20, 2017, and from February 7, 2021, is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service. The right foot, RUEPN, LUEPN, RLEPN, LLEPN, left hip, right hip, right CTS, left CTS, right hip scar, lumbar spine, CAD, left knee, right knee, hypertension, and ED conditions are not found to be related to his active duty service. The Veteran's Hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or residuals associated with the condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate, particularly regarding the Veteran's claims for back and right leg/knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide updated medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee patellar tendonitis is manifested by, at worst, flexion to 50 degrees on repetitive use over time and during flare-ups of pain in each knee. Therefore, the claims for increased ratings were denied as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and back conditions. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as left and right shoulder disabilities have been granted. The temporary total ratings for convalescence following surgeries on the left and right knees are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and heart disability. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for other conditions are also granted.

The appeals to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are dismissed. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the Veteran's tinnitus and headaches remain in dispute.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the Veteran's failure to attend a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating for left knee scars, as well as entitlement to an initial rating of 20 percent for left knee instability are remanded due to the need for further examination. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.