Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide VA examinations for his musculoskeletal disorders, as well as any left ear hearing loss and low blood pressure diagnoses. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss disability, hemorrhoids, hypertension, PTSD and bipolar disorder, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, knee strains, and pes cavus. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate rationale in the VA examination report, and a new opinion is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unresolved issues regarding his disabilities. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition with continuity of symptomology during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, fatigue, skin condition, and joint pain.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for verrucae vulgaris, from September 2015, has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for hypersensitivity to insect bites and left knee disability have both been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing his lay statements and testimony regarding in-service injuries, as well as his current symptoms. The VA must provide new opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that any currently diagnosed disabilities are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement and arthritis of the right ankle. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the SMC claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus, knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 16, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee limitation of flexion and extension were denied. He was granted a noncompensable rating for right knee limitation of extension beginning April 6, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the discontinuance of VA VR&E benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was proper due to the Veteran's unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation in his rehabilitation program.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee surgical scar, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but not yet decided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete or inaccurate factual premises in a previous VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and flexion limitation, is currently rated at 10 percent.,From April 3, 2021, the Veteran was granted a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of flexion due to his service-connected right knee instability.