Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and right achilles tendon disability due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development of medical records.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating due to limited motion.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims.,No new evidence or changes in disability status were presented, and all issues on appeal are now closed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including obtaining private treatment records. The Veteran's asthma is not shown to be causally related to service, while his right knee disorder may have had its onset in August to September 2009, which occurred after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to October 1, 2020 are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case is also remanded for a retrospective opinion regarding the nature and severity of his left knee disability prior to his total left knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal.,A separate compensable rating of 10 percent, but no higher, is granted for left knee instability for the entire period on appeal.,A separate compensable rating of 10 percent, but no higher, is granted for right knee instability for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia, is rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability of the right knee has been granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent for limitation of extension since June 8, 2011. An increased rating for the right knee disability in excess of 10 percent based on limitation of flexion or a separate rating based on other factors is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the right knee degenerative arthritis status post total knee arthroplasty and TDIU claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,His right knee and left knee conditions are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and eye disorders as secondary to service-connected bilateral foot pes planus due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were partially granted, with some issues being reopened and others not. The appeal is dismissed as to the claim of retinopathy due to its full grant. Claims for skin disability, arthritis, high blood pressure, foot injury residuals, and respiratory disorder are all partially granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right hand, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. The initial rating for jagged scar, right hand lateral palm prior to January 23, 2017 is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, neck, left and right knee disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are related to his active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 40 percent for DJD from November 19, 2015. A separate rating of 20 percent for limitation of flexion has been granted since January 16, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking the disorders to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received after the August 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's left knee disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to January 23, 2014 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board has now granted a separate 20 percent rating for limitation of extension from January 23, 2014.