Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, and left eye disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as the evidence does not show she is permanently bedridden or so helpless that she needs assistance with daily activities.

The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent disability rating for service-connected left TKA residuals is granted, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-5.,The issue of service connection for a back condition is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions on whether the current disability existed during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, genu recurvatum of the right leg, genu recurvatum of the left leg, and rhabdomyolysis have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability and remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical records and unclear reasons for wheelchair use.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions have not prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the entire period prior to December 17, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities making it at least as likely as not that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings for right knee status post medial meniscus surgery, right knee instability, chronic left knee strain, and left knee instability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee arthritis condition and Baker's cyst of the right knee due to an incomplete development, including the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including right shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis and osteoarthritis; right knee iliotibial band syndrome; recurrent ankle sprain residuals; recurrent hamstring disability; bilateral plantar fasciitis; heel spurs; and hip degenerative arthritis. The appeal for service connection for a left hamstring disability has been withdrawn.

The appeals of the claims for right ear hearing loss, dental disability, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of evidence or new information.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected right knee disability prior to May 13, 2019 are denied as the evidence does not support higher or separate ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with meniscal tear is now rated at 30 percent effective February 1, 2022. The prior rating of 10 percent for the same condition remains unchanged.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to his contention of an additional disability resulting from a right knee surgery performed in April 1991 at the Syracuse VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee instability, left knee instability, and migraine headaches have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 9, 2020. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for these conditions.

The appeal for service connection for atopic dermatitis is dismissed. The appeals for sinusitis, left knee disorder, left hip impingement syndrome, allergic rhinitis, pes planus, right hand sprain, and right hamstring strain are all remanded for additional development.