Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased evaluations of knee and hip conditions, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the appeals for scheduling of VA examinations to assess the current severity and functional impairment of various service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis, left knee strain, bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bladder dysfunction, and bowel dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for a right foot disability, finding that additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors in the prior decision and has remanded the claims for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension, atrial fibrillation, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are all granted as they are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.,Right foot hammertoe is denied as it did not manifest during service or is otherwise unrelated to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, fibromyalgia, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee conditions, tinnitus, dermatitis, and erectile dysfunction require regular aid and attendance due to mental health issues. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

Your original ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were reduced to 10 percent, but the VA restored your original 20 percent ratings. Your appeal is dismissed as moot because you no longer need the restoration of your rating.

The appeal as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for a laceration of the forehead and bilateral knee disability is dismissed.,Service connection is not granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher disability rating for the service-connected mental disability, left knee disabilities, and right knee disabilities due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not receive notice of scheduled VA examinations and finds it highly likely he did not receive them. The claims are being remanded to attempt to obtain updated contact information for the Veteran so he can be notified of these actions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's previous disability ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, but has found that the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper. The case is now remanded for further evaluation of the current severity of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeals for the right and left knee disabilities, so these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to October 21, 2021 due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities that allowed him to maintain substantial employment.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20% from September 28, 2012 to August 5, 2020 and at 40% thereafter. The left knee disability is rated at 30% for instability since January 28, 2013 and at 20% for locking and effusion since May 12, 2015. Bilateral great toe arthritis is rated at 20%. Service connection was granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right knee, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is advised to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from his providers.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and denied increased ratings for right knee tendonitis, obstructive sleep apnea, right foot pes planus, right upper lip scar, and upper back sebaceous cyst.,A separate compensable rating was granted for painful scar post-upper back sebaceous cyst excision.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her left knee disability and instability are remanded due to the need for new examinations and consideration of a temporary total rating based on convalescence.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file and for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for updated evaluations of the Veteran's right knee, lumbosacral spine, and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability.