Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, wrist and knee conditions, hip conditions, elbow conditions, sleep apnea, and shoulder impingement syndrome have been dismissed. The Veteran's service-connected left Achilles tendonitis has been granted a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service connected. The Board found that the current diagnoses of bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome are related to in-service complaints of knee pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are not service-connected as there is no credible evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee tendonitis and chondromalacia, as well as left hand traumatic injury with atrophy and strain, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted a 10 percent rating for limited flexion under DC 5260, effective February 11, 2010. Ratings for limited extension were also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations and service connection due to lack of recent VA treatment records, undelivered correspondence, and failure to report a scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition is reopened. The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent prior to June 3, 2021 and 20 percent effective February 18, 2020.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is granted service connection. The appeals for right wrist tendinitis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease are dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee instability was found to have manifested as of December 16, 2013. An earlier effective date for the grant of a separate initial rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, left hip disability and right knee disability have been granted ratings. TDIU has also been granted from April 28, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete medical records, which need to be obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations of errors in the determination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and arthritis, is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. A separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage in the right knee is granted since January 26, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Wake Forest Baptist Health and Dr. DB.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left and right knee disabilities have been granted at 20 percent each.,A separate evaluation of 10 percent has also been granted for frequent locking episodes with pain and effusion in the right knee post-meniscectomy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for viral syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased initial left knee rating due to a failure to schedule and conduct an examination. The Veteran was unable to attend the scheduled examination because he had moved, but VA did not provide written communication to his new address.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar status post left knee surgery is denied.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression, is denied.,The claim for service connection for a trachea disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for the left knee disabilities are remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 26, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for increased urinary frequency as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for scars associated with her right knee surgery is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the number and characteristics of the scars, including their effects on her function.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is granted service connection based on a presumption of service connection. OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied as not shown in service or related to service.