Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee tendonitis was reopened, and the Board found that his left knee osteoarthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran needs VA examinations to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities, including any functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder are not service-connected.,Additional development is needed for the remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, including headaches, skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and left ligament sprain. The Board has determined that these issues require further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to uncertainty regarding her dates of service and need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings beyond those already assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded several issues including cervical spine disability, right wrist disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD, right knee is dismissed. The withholding of VA disability compensation payments to recoup military separation pay was proper and the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to April 28, 2022 and a higher rating is denied for the period beginning on April 28, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to March 18, 2021 was denied as she did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU.,For the period from March 18, 2021 onwards, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found insufficient to warrant a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left and right shin splints, as well as her bilateral knee strain, have been granted. However, the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to insufficient information.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right knee meniscus tear, residuals of a hysterectomy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome due to unclear dates of active duty for training.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her left knee condition and right wrist condition, prevented her from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees is related to his service as a lookout on a United States Navy submarine, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee instability associated with DJD was denied. An earlier effective date of November 2, 2015 for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for left knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability has worsened, causing swelling and pain that affects his ability to perform daily activities. The Board finds the current VA examination inadequate due to lack of range of motion testing during flare-ups and remands for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee disabilities were denied. She was granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent under DC 5258.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine conditions. The first issue is a request for a compensable rating for his scar, right knee. The second issue is seeking an increased rating for post operative residuals of the right knee torn medial meniscus with degenerative arthritis prior to June 1, 2018 (except the temporary total period). The third issue is seeking an increased rating for post operative residuals of the right knee torn medial meniscus with degenerative arthritis as of June 1, 2018. Lastly, the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis with severe DDD at L4/5 and L5/S1 is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back condition prior to January 16, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee instability and patellofemoral syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were dismissed or remanded as requested. The claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted, while the claims for hemorrhoids and chronic left ankle sprain are also granted.