Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the etiology of the claimed bilateral knee conditions, which are related to active or inactive duty training from September 1996 to March 1997.

The appeals for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, neck disorder, headache disorder, and right knee bursitis have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 1, 1995 for the grant of service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis with a history of chondromalacia/patellofemoral syndrome under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg condition is denied as there is no current disability that began during or approximate to the pendency of the claim, beyond those already encompassed by other issues on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for synovitis with femoro-acetabular impingement, pincer-type, right hip; limitation of flexion and extension of thigh, right hip; and service connection for a spinal disability, to include a coccyx condition, are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his left ankle condition and right knee strain are both rated below the maximum allowed. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including ACL laxity, medial meniscus tear status post repair, and chondromalacia, is related to his in-service combat injury. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis and instability, was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee is granted. The claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 2, 2016, remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cervical disc prolapse, degeneration of lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn. The appeal for right knee chondromalacia patella has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The appeal for acquired psychiatric disorder has also been remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes and left knee disability were evaluated, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to specific limitations. The diabetes was not rated higher as it did not require insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran contends that he overcompensated for his right knee disability, leading to a current left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lower back disorders due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including strain, meniscal tear, and degenerative arthritis associated with incomplete spastic paralysis and sciatic nerve involvement, is not rated higher than the current levels of 10 percent prior to November 2, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter. The scars are also not compensably disabling.

The Board has remanded the claim for a left knee condition due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiner, and further development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding no current diagnosis and that his pain does not rise to the level of functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for right knee disability, PTSD, chronic headache disability, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for an eye disability remains pending as it was not reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right elbow, and right knee disabilities have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for the left knee disability but is being remanded for further examination regarding the right knee and right elbow disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, concluding that the Veteran's current condition did not worsen during his military service and was instead due to natural progression of degenerative changes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psoriatic arthritis conditions, but has remanded these issues due to additional development being necessary.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for psoriatic arthritis is being remanded as there are still unresolved questions regarding whether his current conditions are related to his pre-existing psoriasis and left-hand psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent for limited flexion, 20 percent for limited extension, 20 percent for limited flexion, and 30 percent for limited extension throughout the period on appeal.