Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims of rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as ratings for left and right knee instability. The remand is due to incomplete examinations that did not address how pain with weight-bearing could affect range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's arthritis did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period or was not etiologically related to her service, including presumed environmental exposures in Southwest Asia.,Service connection for fatigue was also denied as there is no diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) for VA purposes.

The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is related to his service-connected left knee disability and has been granted service connection. The rating for his left knee meniscal tear with instability remains at 10 percent, but a remand is ordered due to concerns about its reduction from 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and causation of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hip and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's neck disabilities, diagnosed as a cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, are granted service connection. The low back and left knee disability issues have been remanded.

All claims for service connection or compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran, and some issues were remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the claims file after previous decisions and remands. The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the AOJ for review of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as he did not satisfy the economic component required for a TDIU prior to June 27, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his lumbar spine strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and Achilles tendonitis of the left ankle due to incomplete records. The Veteran is requested to provide any private medical records related to these conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his left and right knee disabilities from 20% to 10%, finding that the reductions were improper due to a lack of evidence showing an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, but remanded the claims for his spine, left knee, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to new evidence of worsening conditions, as well as his claim for TDIU. The issues include right ankle, right knee, right hip disabilities, and a left leg below the knee amputation.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling or a TDIU based on a single disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee medial meniscal tear residuals, finding that the condition originated during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear to his pants, resulting in the award of two annual clothing allowances for 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to unclear communication and lack of compliance with examination requirements.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to her military service.