Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, finding that these conditions are superimposed on his congenital leg length discrepancy defect during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including a lack of an actual physical examination and x-rays. The Veteran is requested to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has a current left knee disability and whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee, right foot and ankle, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The issues have been remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted with a separate initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The right knee strain remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current hip conditions are not related to his military service.,A TDIU claim prior to December 21, 2021, is moot due to the grant of a total (100 percent) rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and right ankle osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The appeals for the right and left knee disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral leg varicose veins have been granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, right clavicle fracture, right clavicle scar, left knee condition, low back condition, and coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction are remanded for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to estimate functional loss in terms of additional degrees of limited motion during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted due to additional functional loss resulting in weakness and limited motion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that his bilateral knee disabilities contributed to his wheelchair use and ultimately led to a pulmonary embolism resulting in his death. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee DJD with limitation of extension and flexion are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the July 2019 VA examiner's findings. The Board requests a retrospective opinion from Dr. T.N., or another qualified clinician, to reconcile these inconsistencies.

The Veteran's left knee instability and degenerative joint disease were granted ratings, but the limitation of flexion was denied. The rating for extension is still pending.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to consider pain during motion testing. The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including instability and limitation of flexion, are being reviewed again for proper evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left total knee replacement has been dismissed because the Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues for further consideration due to inadequate examinations and lack of records from 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral upper extremity pain/carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee disability, bilateral pes planus, heart disorder, and pulmonary disability.