Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and dental disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to increased disability ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered by the AOJ before a final decision can be made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are all denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions had onset in or are otherwise related to her military service.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no basis for a higher rating due to noncompensable limitation of motion.,The Veteran's TBI with cognitive impairment was initially rated at 70 percent and later reduced to 40 percent effective October 1, 2015. The Board found that the reduction was proper.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including photophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lung condition, GERD, arthritis, hip and knee conditions, sexual arousal disorder, and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with limitation of flexion prior to March 30, 2021, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The claims are also remanded for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee strain with limitation of extension from October 4, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine DFD with scoliosis prior to December 28, 2017 is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to October 27, 2014 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. Service connection was also granted for the left ear hearing loss, but denied for the right ear hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and left knee conditions required additional VA examination and remanded these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his TDIU, SMC based on need for aid and attendance claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves the propriety of ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities, including instability and limitation of flexion. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

Your appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right hip and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the appellant's death while his appeal was pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating for lateral instability from December 16, 2008, to October 21, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral knee and bilateral foot disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a new examination of his bilateral foot disability. The left knee instability claim is also being remanded as it may impact the other claims.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is characterized by marked limited motion, warranting a 20 percent rating. The Board has granted this rating.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent for anterior/posterior cruciate ligament tear and 30 percent for global laxity and rotary instability.