Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has found that the Veteran's right knee required convalescence following surgeries in July 2015, December 2015, and February 2016. As a result, temporary total ratings for convalescence are granted from August 1, 2015 to December 3, 2015, and from February 16, 2016 to March 31, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability are denied. The right knee claim is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including ankle, hand, knee, skin, heart, prostate, and erectile dysfunction conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of opinions regarding the Veteran's hip, shoulder, and foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate assessments of functional loss during flare-ups in prior examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's claim regarding flare-ups of his bilateral knee disability. The case is being remanded for a new examination to evaluate the severity and manifestations of his bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and PTSD, have been dismissed due to the failure to appeal the January 2021 Board decision.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from April 24, 2017 to the present is granted. The issue of a higher rating for depressive disorder with alcoholic/cannabis use disorder with depressive features from June 16, 2010 to September 20, 2018 is dismissed as the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and sleep apnea as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings for the periods specified, with effective dates of December 1, 2017 and August 14, 2018 respectively.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing in 2012, warranting a clothing allowance for that year.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and granted. The reduction in the disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 30% effective July 1, 2016, was upheld.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for private treatment records, and VA must attempt to obtain his service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification of his diagnoses and symptoms, as well as obtaining a new examination. The issue remains about determining if he should receive a compensable disability rating for his service-connected left knee meniscal tear.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The dental condition for compensation purposes issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including instability and dislocated cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, are rated at the maximum allowed under applicable diagnostic codes. However, his limitation in flexion is not greater than 40 degrees, which does not warrant a higher rating. The limitation in extension was found to be non-compensable.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development and lack of consideration of the Veteran's claims regarding his right and left knee disabilities, including his assertion that he injured his knees during basic training.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded for additional development to assess the extent of range of motion loss due to flare-ups and repeated use.