Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition, bilateral shoulder condition, and lumbar sprain for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for a left shoulder disability and a higher initial rating for TBI residuals (claimed as post-concussive syndrome) and comingled psychiatric symptoms are granted. The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities remain on appeal with remanded issues.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left hip disabilities. The appeals are not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's left knee instability and arthritis are rated at least 10 percent effective from the date of the decision, with a separate rating for his total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and its impact on his employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, respiratory disability (chronic sore throat and sinusitis), right knee disability, left knee disability, PTSD, and depression due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his right knee injuries, hip disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that there is no current left knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 50 percent rating beginning July 1, 2008. Ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are denied. SMC at the housebound rate is granted beginning July 1, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for fainting, vertigo, and a left knee/leg disorder. Service connection was granted for the right knee/leg disorder.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee total replacement from October 1, 2017, finding that the residuals of the surgery consisted of severe painful motion or weakness.

The appeals for chronic fatigue syndrome and coronary artery disease (claimed as heart condition) have been withdrawn, and the appeals are dismissed.,New evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for impotence, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral calf disabilities. The claims are reopened.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disability other than sinusitis, rhinitis and asthma, manifesting in a chronic cough.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,Service connection is granted for headaches as secondary to sleep apnea.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection for various conditions, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's right ankle instability is rated at 20% from November 10, 2020 to September 14, 2021 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left hip arthritis is rated at 10% prior to November 10, 2020 and denied for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations, as he did not provide a valid reason or justification for missing them.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back disability, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to procedural issues with the appeal process.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's musculoskeletal disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder, bladder problems, urinary tract infections, and sinus condition. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo a VA examination for his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, left hip, and left knee disabilities did not have their onset during service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,The VA examiners provided opinions concluding that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current back, left hip, and left knee disabilities and his service.