Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metatarsalgia of the left foot, degenerative changes of the left knee, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disabilities (left and right), and right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.,An effective date earlier than September 10, 2015, was denied for all granted service connection claims.

The Board has found that remand is needed for additional development in both the left knee disability and primary vitiligo claims. The Veteran's left knee disabilities include degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion and extension, as well as instability. For his primary vitiligo claim, a new VA examination and opinion are needed to address whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was caused by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 because there was no evidence that VA provided care or treatment to the Veteran at the Eddie Beard Veteran House, which is not considered a VA facility.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete employment information provided by the Veteran. The AOJ needs to request completed VA Form 21-4192s from identified employers.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims related to his right knee condition, TBI, headaches (secondary to PTSD), and perennial rhinosinusitis with headaches.

Service connection is granted for left knee osteoarthritis status post total knee arthroplasty. Service connection is remanded for right knee osteoarthritis status post total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service periods need clarification, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU from July 9, 2009, and prior to September 1, 2010. However, he met the requirements for TDIU from September 1, 2010, and prior to April 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates were withdrawn.,A 10 percent rating was granted for a scar, status post herniorrhaphy. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence received since the October 2016 SOC.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was found not to be related to his active service.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was also denied as it is not linked to his in-service injury or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 100 percent, while his right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent. The lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to October 11, 2018, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate given his occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,From October 11, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher disability rating as he was not experiencing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Lumbosacral Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Shoulder Strain, Right Shoulder Strain, Cervical Spine Degenerative Joint Disease with Spondylosis, Tinnitus, and Right Knee Meniscal Tear Residuals, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, elbow, and knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are directly related to his active duty service in the U.S. Army.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear began during active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders have been reopened, but the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for RLE peripheral neuropathy is pending and will be remanded as well.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability was granted.,Service connection for sinusitis, presumed due to Southwest Asia exposure, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a left knee disability, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, due to inadequate rationale in the VA opinion and the need to consider lay statements of the Veteran.