Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating for instability has been granted. The lumbosacral strain associated with the left ankle sprain remains at 20 percent, while the chronic left ankle sprain receives a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, a back disability, a right hip disability, and a right knee disability due to outstanding VA medical records. The right ankle disability claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left epididymectomy residuals is granted with a 10 percent disability rating from July 31, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral knee condition and TDIU are remanded.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for left tibia fracture and a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from April 18, 2013. The Veteran's disability was found to be characterized by painful motion of the left leg and slight instability of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to potential in-service injuries or exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused his current condition. The Board also noted that post-service medical records did not show any association between his current knee problems and his time in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist and knee disabilities due to a lack of STRs, but acknowledges the Veteran's reported in-service complaints. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tremor disability is related to his service exposure to solvents and herbicides. The left knee and low back disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining an updated VA treatment record and a new opinion from a clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and is remanding the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and, as such, another remand is required for the Veteran's claims of right shoulder rotator cuff tear, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease, right knee plica syndrome, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient evidence of improvement in his conditions under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease with scoliosis, post-surgery; cervical spine arthritis, post-surgery; and left knee disability, to include meniscal tear and arthritis, post-surgery. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service physical stress and subsequent diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent under Code 5003 and a separate 10 percent rating under Code 5259, resulting in an overall combined rating of 20 percent for the disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right knee arthritis and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and instability, with a separate 10 percent rating for genu recurvatum. The current ratings are maintained.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition was denied. However, he received a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability starting October 16, 2020.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The increased rating claims for hip and knee conditions were remanded due to insufficient information regarding the range of motion estimates after repeated use over time and flareups.