Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The Board will schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and kidney stone disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service or any other relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from April 1, 2008 to January 2, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of these claims as they pertain to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis with history of pes planus, hypertension, chronic left mediatibial stress syndrome, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extraschedular evaluations for his right ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for a left ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since separation from service and are at least in equipoise with a link to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before final adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity neurological disabilities, eye disabilities, left hip disability, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to outstanding SSA records that may contain relevant evidence. The earlier effective date claim is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran currently has a diagnosable disability or experiences pain resulting in functional limitation. The case will be sent back for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination, and now requests another opportunity for her to attend.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disorder. Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively have been considered.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for a comprehensive opinion addressing all relevant evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right hip and knee conditions, as the previous VA medical opinions were inadequate.

PTSD was granted with a 70% rating prior to March 15, 2017 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. Left knee degenerative arthritis received a 20% rating from December 14, 2013.,Left knee instability received a separate 10% rating since December 14, 2013. The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to May 2, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied claims for right hip, left hip, and right knee conditions. The Veteran's current disabilities are presumed to have begun during active service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, left ankle, sinusitis, and rhinitis disabilities. Additionally, new examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, CFS, and bilateral hearing disability.