Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause his need for aid and attendance, which is granted as special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle and right knee conditions due to procedural issues, including a need for addendum opinions based on review of the evidence of record. The Veteran's service treatment records show foot/heel injuries in September 1987 and July 1989, as well as complaints of right knee pain in September 1987.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and right knee conditions due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his bilateral knee disabilities, lumbosacral spine disability, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his right knee osteoarthritis has been withdrawn.,The claim for service connection for hypertension secondary to COPD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for residuals of left and right knee injuries due to new evidence received since the August 1996 decision.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms from May 26, 2010 to October 23, 2017 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right shoulder and right knee conditions due to insufficient medical evidence. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as DDD of the lumbar spine and GERD due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his conditions and whether they result in a loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Veteran's hypertension is presumed to be etiologically related to his conceded in-service herbicide exposure, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right elbow disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development regarding low back disability, headaches, and fibromyalgia.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to insufficient evidence linking them to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and instability. A separate rating of 20 percent for a meniscal condition from December 18, 2019, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for COPD, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete information about the Veteran's Camp Lejeune service. The VA will need to verify this service and obtain the curriculum vitae of the examiners who provided opinions on these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability, right knee limitation of extension, and instability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner who conducted the January 2021 examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left knee disability and service connection for back disability are remanded due to inadequate examination in the previous decision. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his left knee disability, its relation to the MVA, and the nature and etiology of his claimed back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions and gouty arthritis did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran had other nonservice-connected disabilities impacting his employability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee condition and hypertension.