Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee and hip replacements, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 28, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to non-compliance with the most recent remand instructions.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran's left knee disability, lumbar spine apophysis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus with hind foot valgus, bunion formation, and degenerative arthritis are all subject to further review.

The Board has remanded multiple issues, including service connection for a cervical spine disorder and increased ratings for various disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his right shin splints, which may affect the rating for his right knee disability. The claim for a compensable rating for right knee arthroscopic surgical scars remains denied.

The Veteran's left knee total arthroplasty with residual scar is rated at a 60 percent, effective May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability have been granted.,His bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee and hip conditions as well as a lower back condition are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as he testified that it has worsened and provided additional information about flare-ups and limitations.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right leg injury with blood clots. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

Service connection has been granted for lumbar disc disease, left ankle arthritis and instability, right ankle arthritis and instability, left knee arthritis and instability, and right knee arthritis and instability.,The Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service. The Veteran's left and right ankle disorders are also related to his military service due to multiple sprains during training. His bilateral knee disorders are related to his duties in field artillery.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to issues with the Board's analysis of his educational history and work capacity. The case is now being returned for further consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for left knee and back disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions regarding his service connection claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, Mohs cancer (skin cancer), chronic neck condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, chronic back pain, left knee condition, right knee condition, and foot conditions. The claims are being returned to the RO with instructions to prepare and issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in the November 2021 hearing. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his low back, neck, knee disabilities and hypertension. The examination is required for all conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the left knee rating issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence, including a need for VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected left knee replacement and PTSD.