Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.,The Board denied an increased rating for the right knee limitation of flexion but granted a separate rating for the symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his left knee disability and service connection for gout has been remanded. The claim for reopening the application to connect gout was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 3, 2021. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions. From August 3, 2021 onwards, he has been granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral elbow, knee, hip, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's low back condition is granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee, hip, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities due to service-connected conditions. The Veteran's attorney will need to provide updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits claim records. An addendum opinion is needed from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's altered gait may have proximately caused or contributed to his knee, hip, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and cartilage condition, status post total knee replacement due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's request for a compensable evaluation for a superficial non-linear scar on the right knee is being remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it as secondary to service-connected right hip replacement. Service connection was also granted for right knee joint osteoarthritis and left knee joint osteoarthritis, both secondary to service-connected right hip replacement.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to their potential secondary nature to his service-connected conditions. The AOJ will schedule these examinations and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's back and knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the rating decisions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as further evidence is needed to determine if there is a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus and service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing an etiology opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee instability and meniscal condition, have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 3, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The claim for a right knee disability is remanded due to worsening of the condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal seeking to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted and remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, back, left foot bunion, and right foot bunion disabilities. Service connection is also granted for hypertension and sleep disability (including sleep apnea). The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected right knee arthritis and 10 percent for service-connected right knee bursitis were denied as the evidence did not show that his limitation of motion more nearly approximated extension limited to 45 degrees or flexion limited to 30 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and left knee disability. The issues of rating the right knee in excess of 10 percent and service connection for the left knee are being sent back for additional review.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD and instability have not met the criteria for an initial rating higher than 10 percent throughout the entire period on appeal.