Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a right elbow disorder, a right knee disorder, and a right foot disorder due to the need to obtain additional medical records related to a reported motorcycle accident from 1972-1973.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was granted. The appeal regarding TDIU from May 27, 2009 to September 18, 2011 was granted. The appeal regarding an effective date prior to September 19, 2011 for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected COPD with asthma and residual status post broken ribs is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes in the left hip, right hip, and left knee. Service connection was denied for a left ankle disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis and injuries sustained during military service in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is granted. For the entire period on appeal, entitlement to an initial disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD is granted. Beginning June 29, 2016, entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted. The issues of service connection for joint pain, neurological symptoms, and left knee strain are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection. The appeals for right knee, left elbow, and right elbow conditions were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss as the Veteran's memory impairment is a symptom of his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The increased disability ratings and TDIU issues are remanded due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic degenerative changes of the left knee is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his requests for increased disability ratings for right and left knee strains prior to January 16, 2014, and thereafter.

The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected bilateral foot pes planus is granted, effective May 29, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran's SMC housebound based on her TDIU and other service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's left knee internal derangement was granted a 20 percent rating from April 30, 2014 to November 4, 2015. A separate rating for limitation of flexion is denied and a higher rating for the condition is also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure a thorough and accurate evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and missing records. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of impetigo and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The Veteran's left knee disorder is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia existed prior to his entry into active service in July 1986.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the current severity of various service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claims are not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act/Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, loss of circulation in the bilateral arms, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability, and neck disability due to lack of diagnosis and need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for status post total knee replacement (TKR) left knee as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.