Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 14, 2014 to April 5, 2018. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these findings.

Your right knee disability has been granted service connection, but the appeal for this issue is dismissed as it was resolved in your favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine if there is a nexus between in-service incidents and current disabilities, including right shoulder, knee, fibromyalgia, undiagnosed pain of the right hand, and dermatitis.

The reduction in the disability rating for right knee instability from 20% to 0% was not proper, and restoration of a 20% rating is granted. The reduction in the disability rating for left knee strain from 20% to 0% was also not proper, and restoration of a 20% rating is granted.,Initial evaluations for right hip strain and right ankle sprain are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability as the evidence did not show a current disability was related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee chondromalacia is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10% for limitation of flexion, and a separate 10% rating is granted for instability. A 20% rating is granted for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and swelling.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee conditions, along with his depressive disorder, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right knee meniscal tear, status post meniscectomy is granted. The issues of service connection for sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, low back disability, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including private treatment records and VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury, right hand 5th distal phalanx fracture (claimed as broken pinky), bleeding ulcers, scars (nose, left hand, and left knee), asthma, and deviated septum are all being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of traumatic brain injury, right hand 5th distal phalanx fracture (claimed as broken pinky), bleeding ulcers, scars (nose, left hand, and left knee), asthma, and deviated septum are all being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, with the exception of periods prior to April 11, 2019 where he did not meet schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran is granted TDIU from December 18, 2018, to September 23, 2019, and after January 30, 2021.,TDIU prior to December 18, 2018, is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, low back disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with other issues on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current right knee condition and has denied service connection for it. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's left hand disability, including chronic numbness secondary to fusion of the interphalangeal joint of the left thumb, was not service-connected.,Numbness on the left side of the face and right side of the face were not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.,Left knee disability and right knee disability were not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service injury or arthritis developing within one year post-service.,The Veteran's service-connected right thumb peripheral neuropathy was not found to be the cause or aggravation of his facial numbness.