Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. His initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis prior to April 17, 2013, and his rating of 40 percent or higher from that date onwards were also denied. However, he received separate compensable ratings (10%) for left knee symptomatic semilunar cartilage prior to October 19, 2010, and for left knee instability.

The appeal as to several issues has been dismissed. The low back disability is granted, but the right knee disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in service and is not related to his right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to November 1, 2019 on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tension headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 18, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia of the patella, is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a direct relationship between the current condition and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right hip strain, and tinnitus. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to worsening symptoms.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased evaluations for right and left knee disorders need to be remanded due to incomplete examination reports, failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability due to insufficient rationale and lack of specific date identification in prior VA opinions. The case is now returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a respiratory disorder. The AOJ is instructed to schedule new examinations and ensure proper notification of the Veteran.

The Veteran's LEFT knee disorder is found to be related to his service-connected RIGHT knee disability and other disabilities, allowing for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a compensable rating, while his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow, right ankle, and right knee disorders due to a lack of current disability related to his service. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several service-connected conditions has been withdrawn. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for memory impairment, finding it secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and hypertension, all of which are found to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected ankle and foot disabilities.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are service-connected, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or link to his service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical evaluation to determine if the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to her in-service injury.