Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's chronic headaches are found to be related to his service, specifically exposure to hazardous chemicals during deployment. Service connection is granted.,Right foot metatarsalgia is found to have been caused by an injury sustained while playing football in-service. Service connection is granted.,Left knee osteoarthritis is found to be related to a twisting injury that occurred in-service while playing football. Service connection is granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy in left lower extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or aggravation during service.,The Veteran's radiculopathy in left lower extremity is also remanded for similar reasons.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis and blisters) has been granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is also granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral foot disability (claimed as plantar fasciitis and blisters) has been granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, is also granted.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for migraines as it has been granted by a rating decision. Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,An effective date prior to January 4, 2017 is denied for the grants of service connection for right foot metatarsalgia, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 50 percent, and he is granted a TDIU. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities.,Increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board denied accrued benefits and the earlier effective date for service connection for cause of death. The appellant's claims were not timely filed within one year after the August 2013 decision, making her ineligible for accrued benefits. For the earlier effective date claim, the Board found that no appeal was made within a year of the August 2013 decision and thus denied the request.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically limitation of motion and subluxation and instability, has been granted a 50% rating. The higher ratings are not available under other DCs based on limitation of motion before and after February 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot and knee conditions are related to his service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition and a right knee condition (secondary to the right foot) remain under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a recurrent right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU prior to August 26, 2010 due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining any missing service treatment or personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period January 27, 2009 to May 7, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee bipartite patella with knee sprain and meniscal tears was denied. The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for left knee instability effective October 20, 2020 was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right hand disability, chronic low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD due to failure to report for VA examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined with TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right knee: a compensable rating for limited flexion, a higher rating for limited extension, and a higher rating for instability. The claims are being returned for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for left hip and right knee disorders, finding no causal relationship to military service. The Veteran's combined rating was 100% prior to January 21, 2020.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of limitation of flexion or extension that would warrant a higher rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the reduction in his right knee rating from 10 percent to 0 percent is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for use of a back brace and bilateral knee braces in 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities cause excessive wear on his clothing.