Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee strain is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as hip, knee, cervical spine, and low back disabilities. The issues of psychiatric disorders and initial compensable disability ratings have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at other than the housebound rate was denied as he did not meet the criteria for this benefit during the specified period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new evidence received within a year of prior decisions. The issues include back disability, bilateral lower extremity venous disability, and knee disabilities.

The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for left knee limitation of motion and instability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion or 20 percent for instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions and a need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's right knee condition is currently diagnosed, but there are questions about its onset during service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of left femur with anterior angulation, 3.5 cm shortening of leg and knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to new evidence received after the October 2018 SOC. The VA will review this additional evidence and arrange for any necessary examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for aggravation of his left knee meniscus tear, finding that it was caused by his service-connected right leg disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the medical evidence did not support an increased rating based on the criteria provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, neuropathy in the lower extremities, and right knee condition have been granted. The rating assigned is 10% for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, trapezius muscle spasms, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that new opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for back and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete consideration of his lay reports. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee fracture residuals. However, the claims for bilateral hip disorders, left knee disorder, and left tibia disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the RO's failure to substantially comply with previous Board remand instructions and legal inaccuracies in their subsequent rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment based on his educational and occupational background.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities need further review due to missing VA medical records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran's knee DJD, left eye disorder, and hypertension are denied.