Knee decisions — 2022

The appeal for the severance of service connection for left knee chondromalacia patella with frequent locking was granted, restoring a separate 20 percent evaluation. The issues regarding the left shoulder disability and ratings for the left knee were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate addendum opinions. Additional evidence is needed before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for depression is granted. The Board also remands the issues of rating for left knee disability, service connection for right knee condition, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for any right hip condition and status post left hip replacement, as well as the issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is secondary to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee limitation of extension were denied. The current ratings for these conditions are 20 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being considered.

The Board denied service connection for Hypertensive Vascular Disease (claimed as high blood pressure) due to the lack of evidence showing its onset during active service or being related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also denied for PTSD, with the Board finding no credible evidence of its onset during service and insufficient evidence linking it to any current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and mental health disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and has determined that it is due to aggravation of a preexisting condition during active duty. The rating assigned and effective date have not been determined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to inadequate examination findings and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, medial and lateral meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament tear, finding that these conditions are related to a left knee injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have persisted since.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and knee disabilities have contributed to his unemployability, leading the Board to consider TDIU as part of the rating issues on appeal. Higher ratings for left and right knee disabilities are also remanded.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability, but denied a higher rating for the overall right knee condition.

The Veteran's left fibula condition is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under DC 5262.,Both his right and left knee conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings available under DCs 5260 and 5257.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee strain, status post partial medial meniscectomy with instability, prior to August 13, 2018, was denied.,A 30 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's GERD with gastroesophageal junction ulcers.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for arthritis with limitation of flexion and instability, and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.,OSA with asthma has been rated at 50 percent since its initial grant in March 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, chronic fatigue and weakness due to thyroidectomy residuals, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral tinnitus, and migraine headaches disorder.,There is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses or causal connections between the Veteran's claimed conditions and her active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and increased ratings for his left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support secondary service connection or aggravation of his conditions.