Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis status post total arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right foot flat foot, and left foot flat foot. The evidence did not show current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability is rated at 10 percent prior to February 7, 2021. From February 7, 2021, the Veteran's instability warrants a remand for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right knee claim and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the claimed conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered the remand of two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The remand is due to the need for an adequate VA examination that includes weight-bearing range of motion measurements.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability is at least as likely as not related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to September 14, 2020, was dismissed. The Board also remanded the remaining issues related to his spine and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 5, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss of either ear, according to VA standards. The claims for increased evaluations for service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to document the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee strain is also remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for bilateral eye disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee chondromalacia patella have been dismissed as the claimant has withdrawn all remaining appeals, including the TDIU appeal.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's right knee and left hand thumb strain disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding functional loss. The cases are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee condition due to deficiencies in the prior decision and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence added to the claims file, and the Veteran's request for a review of this additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, but the other issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and knee disabilities are remanded for further development.