Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and development due to lack of proper notification regarding scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened and is remanded. The claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine DJD with degenerative spondylolisthesis, DDD, LE radiculopathy & IVDS (claimed as lower back condition) is also remanded.

The Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces and a back brace used due to service-connected disabilities is granted for the 2018 calendar year.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, were found to be sufficient for a TDIU prior to May 10, 2017. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not rated higher than zero percent, and his left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Board has remanded all claims for service connection due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination to assess the extent of functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from January 24, 2008 through September 8, 2009.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for arthritis, residual right finger injury, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to withdrawal by the appellant's representative. The hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, sternum knot, neck disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and degenerative disc disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2015. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to February 28, 2017 for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is dismissed. The Board has also remanded cases regarding initial ratings and service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's left hip strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left femur fracture is currently rated as non-compensable (0 percent), and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee sprain and shin splints are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 7, 2022. A rating in excess of 40 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cognitive disorder, left knee disability, bronchiolitis obliterans, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has restored the prior 30% rating for right knee disability effective February 1, 2016. The case is remanded to determine if an increased rating in excess of 30% is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected. The issue of a higher rating for his left hip disability and the issue of service connection for his bilateral knee disability are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee instability and strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his right knee conditions, including limitation of motion, instability, flare-ups, active and weight bearing exams.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, low back, and right shoulder conditions due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are being evaluated again.