Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are now pending and will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as they are, without additional ratings for specific conditions or complications. The claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings based on the current functional limitations and medical findings.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, arm conditions, knee conditions, heart condition, high blood pressure, mental health condition, and headaches. The claims are dismissed.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for left and right knee instability. The cases are remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia patella of the right knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle.,Secondary service connection is also granted for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella of the left knee.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeals for service connection and increased ratings on multiple disabilities, including right knee disability, flat wart hand, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis, and TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 30 percent from February 7, 2021. The Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to September 7, 2016 and SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 10, 2010 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since at least August 10, 2010.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hyperthyroidism, a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea, neck condition, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right ankle osteoarthritis.,Service connection is remanded for left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), diabetes, hypertension, kidney condition, residuals of a pilonidal sinus cyst, and bilateral foot condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, acquired psychiatric disability, migraines, and sinusitis. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Board has already granted favorable decisions on these issues.,The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and SMC remain pending, and further review is required.

Service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The effective date for a 10% rating for Hepatitis C is set at February 26, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations in June 2018. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records will be considered.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, neck, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient development and lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the appellant's Texas National Guard service was not qualifying service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of a left knee disability, right knee disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB). The Veteran's testimony indicates these conditions may be related to his active-duty service. Further medical examination is needed to determine if they are indeed service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his past work history, education, training, and skills.