Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability and rheumatoid arthritis are remanded for further development. A compensable rating is also remanded for the Veteran's linear porokeratosis of the left hand.

The Veteran's right knee lateral instability is granted a 20 percent rating, while the other conditions are each granted a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood has been granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Board has also remanded for further examination regarding her knee disabilities.

The Veteran's residuals, gunshot wound, right knee have been manifested by pain and occasional uncertainty of movement without fascial defects or impairment of muscle substance. The rating assigned is non-compensable.,For the right knee strain, the Veteran’s range of motion was no worse than 100 degrees with consideration of pain, fatigability, and lack of endurance.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted an initial rating of 100 percent effective May 13, 2021.,A 70 percent rating for the Veteran's depressive disorder from May 29, 2012 to May 12, 2021 is granted.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for left knee DJD, but the claims for lumbar spine disability and skin disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain a substantially gainful occupation, effective December 7, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment as a chaplain/civil servant with the U.S. Army, and he has not provided sufficient information regarding his current employment status.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's right shoulder, neck, left knee, and acid reflux conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left knee conditions due to incomplete development, including missing VA examinations. The Veteran is incarcerated and unable to attend the requested exams.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to errors in the previous VA medical opinion and the need to consider continuity of symptoms from active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and Baker's cyst. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but a new examination and opinion are needed to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the February 2017 VA medical opinion is inadequate and requires an addendum to determine if the Veteran's right below knee amputation was caused by or made worse due to VA's failure to timely treat his symptoms. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of a low back condition and has remanded several rating claims related to knee and ankle conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, back, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and outstanding records. The issues of service connection, special monthly compensation (SMC), and education benefits are being deferred until the service connection issues are resolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities, and has therefore remanded the case for further action.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, shoulder, wrist, and hand disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of ratings for limitation of extension of the Veteran's bilateral knees was not proper and is void ab initio. The case is REMANDED to obtain VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied, and the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current evidence of a left knee disability and that it began during active service.