Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking the conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted an initial 10 percent rating prior to April 29, 2022. The claim for a higher rating after that date is denied.

The Veteran's anxiety and physical conditions, including ankle, knee, back, and shoulder issues, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered the VA to obtain all outstanding Vet Center records related to his service-connected mental health disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions on direct and secondary service connection for right knee disability. The Veteran's representative argues that the most recent VA examiner lacks competency in this area, but the examiner is listed as having a general practice specialty which includes obstetrics and gynecology.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as the current evidence is insufficient.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's headaches were granted service connection as they had their clinical onset during service. The Board found the Veteran competent to identify the presence of headaches and resolved doubt in his favor, finding that service connection for headaches is warranted.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the back and right knee disabilities are inadequate, and thus remanded to obtain new opinions. The issues of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability (secondary to a back disability) remain in dispute.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability, but denied a higher rating for the overall left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in July 2022.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, limitation of flexion is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no additional functional loss or impairment beyond what was already accounted for in the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted separate ratings for instability (10%) and extension (10%), but denied a higher rating for the overall condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, including arthritis and a total knee replacement, based on continuity of symptoms since service separation to the present. The decision is in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, a left knee disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew her appeals, and service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left arm peripheral neuropathy and scars of the left upper extremity and left chest associated with malignant melanoma residuals were granted. The Veteran's right knee strain was denied, but his separate evaluation for a meniscus condition with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint is granted.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ankle disability, presumed due to undiagnosed illness, is denied.,The Veteran's right elbow disability, presumed due to undiagnosed illness, is denied.,The Veteran's left elbow disability, presumed due to undiagnosed illness, is denied.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism, presumed due to undiagnosed illness, is denied.