Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the previous remand directives were not substantially complied with and further remand is necessary due to an improper standard of proof applied by the examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for marked impairment of the left and right knees as of October 22, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot and knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 2019, and the Board has granted a TDIU from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a lower back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 20 percent from June 2, 2011 to the present. The rating for limitation of extension remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disorder, sleep apnea, and COPD due to potential errors in the previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension is dismissed. PTSD and alcohol and substance abuse disorders are granted service connection, as well as erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, GERD, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions obtained are not sufficient to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and knee disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee strain and chondromalacia patella have been shown to have originated during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left and right knee Osgood-Schlatter's Disease, unspecified depressive disorder, and right hand long finger Dupuytren's nodule have been dismissed. The appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, right knee disability, and claimed condition of larynx/esophagus and pyloroplasty/vagotomy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.,For left knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease, a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 24, 2011, and in excess of 30 percent from December 1, 2012, was denied. For right knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease, a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied.,Right knee instability was granted a 20 percent rating effective June 22, 2010. A higher rating for instability on or after August 17, 2021, was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. The issues of rating PTSD, left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, recurrent thrombosis of the left lower extremity deep vessels, and hypertension are all being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to service or caused by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is in need of such assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA medical examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, headaches, and tinea versicolor due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions.