Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's entitlement to a higher evaluation for his service-connected right knee instability has been granted, with an effective date of November 29, 2017. The Veteran previously had a separate evaluation of 10 percent disabling for the s/p removal of right medial meniscus and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament under Diagnostic Code 5259.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left hip disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal at a hearing. The claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis, left knee strain, and residuals of right knee injury with degenerative joint disease are remanded. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, left shoulder disorder, arachnoid cyst in the right middle cranial fossa, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine strain and other service connection issues due to new evidence received since the last decision. The case will be returned to the AOJ for review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee condition, neck condition (claimed as cervical strain), and back condition due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, fibrocystic breasts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral shin splints, back disability, and left knee disability. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is reopened, and the claims for left knee and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and a TDIU prior to March 2, 2017 due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations that comply with Mitchell v. Shinseki and Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, and thus remands the case for this purpose.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart, neck, low back, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities. The evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, but denied service connection for rectal bleeding and right groin hernia.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee strain with limitation in flexion and extension are being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's right knee medial collateral ligament strain and anterior collateral ligament tear are currently rated at 20 percent, effective April 26, 2022. The left knee instability is rated at 30 percent from November 2, 2016, to April 26, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a low back disability, finding that the disabilities did not have onset during service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, as well as his major depressive disorder. The claim for a temporary total disability rating due to right knee surgery requiring convalescence was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and possibly a VA examination.

The Board has remanded three issues: entitlement to a higher rating for myositis ossificans, right thigh; service connection for a right knee disability; and service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the right knee. The RO is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Kristopher Sanders at Erlanger Health System.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including total right knee replacement, is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The hypertension claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on these issues.