Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar DDD and spondylosis was dismissed. A TDIU prior to December 1, 2020 is granted. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU from December 1, 2020.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his knee disabilities, as remand is required for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her right knee condition and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD and left knee disability, and denied service connection for tinnitus. Right eye vision loss and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete service records and the need for VA opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to the appellant's ACDUTRA service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip, headaches, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee strain with gout due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and right knee disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that led to current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant records.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10% for each knee, and a separate rating of 20% for right knee instability effective December 1, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee replacement, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 30, 2017, were denied due to failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination regarding her right knee disability. The claims are being returned to provide an opportunity for another examination and to complete necessary paperwork.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee arthoplasty.

The Veteran's left knee instability is now rated at 30 percent effective May 11, 2022. This rating reflects the severe instability of the knee.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee meniscus tear with degenerative arthritis from February 21, 2017 was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for instability was granted effective February 13, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his tinnitus, hearing loss, and right knee disability claims.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder did not cause or aggravate his cannabis use disorder.,For the period prior to June 13, 2015, the Veteran's left knee flexion was not limited to 30 degrees throughout the course of the appeal. Since June 13, 2015, the Veteran's left ankle has not exhibited ankylosis.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not cause or aggravate his cannabis use disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran's arthritis, fatigue, respiratory disorder, sinusitis, penile implant, gall bladder removal, skin disorder, and digestive disorder appeals were dismissed.

The appeals for a rating greater than 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a compensable rating and earlier effective date for bilateral hallux onychocryptosis, and an earlier effective date for service connection for the bilateral hallux onychocryptosis have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened and granted. The appeals for service connection for left knee disorders (left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, right hip disorder, upper back and/or neck disorder, and right knee disability) are pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right femur fracture, right knee degenerative changes, and left knee degenerative changes are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for updated evidence.