Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection for a bilateral foot disability and TDIU from June 1, 2008, to November 9, 2008, and from January 1, 2010, to July 27, 2010, is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of colon cancer, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Board found that there was no medical evidence or opinions to support a nexus between these disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and residuals of a broken nose have been reopened. Service connection is granted for the left knee disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a right leg condition, cervical spine condition, sleep apnea, and hand conditions due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for recurrent warts has been dismissed due to withdrawal.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a current disability that meets VA criteria for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be obtained before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee and shoulder conditions.

For the period prior to January 9, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to her service. The Veteran contends that she injured her right knee during service, and a VA examiner found it less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to a recent surgery and the need to determine its current severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding no current diagnosis of such condition and insufficient evidence to establish its onset during or as a result of military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left knee disability were denied. The 10 percent rating before April 2, 2019, and the 30 percent rating beginning June 1, 2020, are both denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease, chronic right ankle strain, and chronic right foot pain. The disabilities are found to be related to in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain updated information about employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee strain due to failure to provide proper notice and scheduling for a VA examination. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from February 20, 2009 to March 27, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent from March 27, 2018 on.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear with DJD resulted in painful limitation of motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on flexion or extension limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 20, 2021. However, he was employed as a forklift operator in a protected environment until July 20, 2021.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and other knee impairment are currently rated at the lowest possible levels, with no higher ratings due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or a service-connected disability.,Additionally, the Board has also denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for umbilical hernia.