Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion. The claims for depression and left lower extremity cellulitis and venous insufficiency have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened, and the claim is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for an examination regarding the Veteran's claimed back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as back and hip disabilities secondary to those knees. The Veteran's service records show no specific diagnoses related to his current knee conditions during service, but VA examinations have linked these conditions to his military duties and obesity.

The Veteran's residuals of left knee ACL tear, tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, contusions of the lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial plateau, and pre-patellar bursitis are granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The temporary total rating for his October 5, 2018, out-patient left knee surgery is also granted.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inaccurate facts of the case and insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records and lack of clear evidence regarding in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, left knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period following separation. The disorders were not shown to be related to an injury during service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a right knee disability is granted. On de novo review, service connection for a right knee chondromalacia is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied. The appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims were remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations and potential loss of use of limbs.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the remanded issue involves entitlement to a higher rating than 20 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is also currently rated at 10 percent and the remanded issue involves entitlement to a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between the current right knee disability and active service. The Veteran's STRs are silent for any complaints or treatment related to the right knee, and the December 2019 VA examination did not provide a probative opinion on the etiology of the right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher evaluation has been denied.,Prior to June 11, 2019, the Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has also been denied.,Since July 1, 2020, the Veteran's post-prosthetic replacement of the left knee joint is rated at 30 percent and the appeal for a higher evaluation has been denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's musculoskeletal conditions (knees and shoulders) and migraine headaches are also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination for assessing the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability. A new examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, joint osteoarthritis, and patellar instability.,Service connection was also granted for left knee strain, joint osteoarthritis, patellar instability, meniscal tear, and fracture. The Veteran's left foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and drop foot were also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including obesity, right ankle and knee disabilities, COPD, sleep apnea, hypertensive heart disease, and cerebral vascular accidents. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need further development.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to February 13, 2017. The decision was based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected left knee disability and other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 20 percent for his right foot condition is dismissed. The request to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is granted, and the issues of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (acquired psychiatric disability), and right knee disabilities are remanded.