Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for instability. The appeal is denied for a higher rating based on limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for residuals of right knee contusion with mild chondromalacia of the medial femoral condyle with bursitis was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee limitation of motion prior to November 23, 2016. The case is being sent back for an adequate examination and a retrospective opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder is granted, and he is awarded a 30 percent rating for sinusitis. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has ordered the claims to be remanded due to additional evidence being submitted by the Veteran. The RO needs to review this new evidence before making a decision on the ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as instability.

The Board has dismissed all appeals seeking to reopen service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, right knee instability, dry eye syndrome, and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's prostate and thyroid disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service, specifically exposure to herbicide agents. The left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are also remanded for a VA examination to assess their relation to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain due to deficiencies in the examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including Osgood-Schlatter's disease and osteophyte formation with a history of medial meniscus tear, has been granted. The current rating is 10 percent effective September 24, 2003.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, was evaluated at a minimum of 30 percent since June 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2021. The evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 3, 2011. The issues of increased ratings for the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right leg limitation of flexion and right knee instability due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran needs to provide VA with all relevant treatment records, particularly those from the VA Choice program related to his physical therapy for his right knee. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current symptoms, level of severity, and functional impairment associated with these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as arthritis, had its onset during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and left hip disorders due to a lack of adequate examination. The VA is required to provide an adequate medical opinion.

The appeal is dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant's authorized representative. The issue of timeliness of the notice of disagreement is remanded for further investigation.