Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee conditions based on the Veteran's competent and credible reports of in-service injuries and continued symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right knee instability associated with patellofemoral syndrome is granted a disability rating of 20 percent, effective August 8, 2016.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete employment history records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's work-related functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for low back condition, left elbow condition, and bilateral knee pain. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service but not necessarily due to or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as it may have worsened since the last VA examination in January 2018. Additional private treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no medical evidence establishing a direct or secondary relationship between the condition and his service-connected psychiatric disorder with traumatic brain injury.,For the period prior to December 16, 2020, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent. The claim for an increased rating beyond this level was denied as there is no evidence showing that his condition warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, groin, OSA, and PFB disabilities may be related to service. However, due to conflicting evidence regarding pre-service conditions and potential aggravation during service, as well as the need for additional medical opinions, these claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease, as well as his left knee condition. The remand is due to insufficient development regarding Agent Orange exposure and an inadequate VA examination for the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for total left knee arthroplasty and spinal stenosis and multilevel facet arthrosis. The right hip disability issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been added to the record since the last decision and requires further review. The claims for initial ratings are being remanded for consideration of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's right knee mild chondromalacia patella and left knee osteoarthritis have been rated as 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The lumbar strain has also been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's service connection claims for insomnia (claimed as major depression), erectile dysfunction, and TDIU due to a service-connected disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee socket injury are granted, but the service connection for the right knee is remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA examinations and additional periods of active duty. The Veteran will be given another opportunity for VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) and intervertebral disc disease (IVDS) of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection or an increase in rating for most of his conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period of appeal, beginning January 15, 2002. Additionally, SMC at the housebound rate was granted from June 23, 2015 through June 18, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her service-connected right and left ankle disabilities, as well as her right and left knee disabilities, have been denied. The rating for the right foot disability has also been denied.,A separate rating of 10 percent under DC 5261 is granted for the period since January 27, 2022, for the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral knee disabilities. The decision also remanded the claim of an increased rating for a right thumb disability.