Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for stroke/TIA and a torn meniscus of the left knee due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of service connection and reduction in disability ratings have been denied. The Board found that the initial determination to grant service connection was clearly erroneous.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because a July 2021 rating decision granted service connection for a left knee disability, effective January 7, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder due to inadequate examination in October 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement (NOD) was timely filed, and thus service connection for left knee disorder and skin disorder is granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a bilateral knee disability, and service connection for an umbilical hernia. The claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and sleep apnea are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity sciatica and TDIU prior to December 4, 2020 due to incomplete opinions regarding causation.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of both first carpel metacarpal joints and right knee condition due to potential in-service causation or aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20% for lateral meniscectomy, and a separate 10% rating is granted for limitation of extension. The case is remanded for further development regarding TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee condition and its relationship to his service-connected left knee condition. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions addressing the etiology of his disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various orthopedic disorders and tinnitus, but the Board notes that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or noise exposure related to these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis have been rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Board found that his current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to November 15, 2014 for a separate 10 percent evaluation based on subluxation of left knee injury with lateral meniscal tear, cyst, and degenerative joint disease (DJD). The case is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury or disease of the right knee and that any current right knee arthritis is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lower back disorder and left knee meniscal tear, to include as secondary to service-connected right knee disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the case to be returned for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to September 19, 2017 and denied a higher rating. From September 19, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's disability remains rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is granted an initial 10 percent rating from January 15, 2014. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.