Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee and hip disabilities, including higher ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right knee with history of chondromalacia and atrophy vastus medialis muscle, a compensable initial rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee with limitation of extension, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip disorder. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate retrospective opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability are rated at 10 percent, while the meniscal tear is rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating for these conditions remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of a retrospective medical opinion and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, as well as her respiratory disability, are all granted on a direct basis. The Veteran is now assigned an initial 20 percent rating for one unstable and painful scar of the left ankle.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected hay fever and allergy. Bilateral flat feet are separately rated. Right foot status post bunionectomy, left foot status post bunionectomy, and right knee disability are all granted at 10 percent. The Veteran's left knee disability remains at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the increased rating appeals for both knees due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain medical history. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the rating assigned was noncompensable. The Board also remanded several issues including hypertension and CFS.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA medical examination due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled examinations. The claims are related to his service-connected right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion prior to January 24, 2018 or a compensable evaluation for extension limitation. The Veteran is currently receiving appropriate ratings based on instability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically left and right knee instability and strain with arthritis, were denied increased ratings. The criteria for higher ratings under the old and new rating criteria have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical records, particularly related to a motorcycle accident in July 1982.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee pain, right great toe pain, and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the claimed mechanisms of injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for recurrent disabilities of the lumbar spine, right hip, right knee, and left knee due to insufficient development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and review due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a right knee condition, bilateral hip condition, and neck condition due to the Veteran's death before any decision was made.