Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral vascular disease, bilateral above-the-knee amputations, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service aboard the U.S.S. Constellation within 12 nautical miles of the landmass of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, which has not yet been considered by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The right knee disability is found to have had its onset during service, with continuity of symptoms since then.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee patellar subluxation/dislocation is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records, including from his service period. The case will be reviewed with a focus on obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current knee conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal, as requested by both herself and her representative.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examiners concluded that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claims are remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability was previously rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and instability, but a separate rating is now being granted for the meniscal condition. The case is remanded due to additional issues.

The Veteran's increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been denied, except for a separate 10 percent rating granted for each knee instability. The effective dates for the TDIU and DEA benefits awards are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has reopened the claims for gulf war syndrome, hepatitis C, PTSD, and anxiety disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including stressor verification and VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and related conditions, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as there is insufficient evidence to substantiate that he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for dry eye condition and remanded the cases of numbness in lower extremities, a lower back disability, left foot swelling, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 15, 2021 and since then, she has met the criteria for a 20% rating for painful motion during flexion of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected scar has been denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for the right knee scar have also been denied.,Claims for service connection for skin cancer, hypothyroidism, neck/cervical spine disability, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's instability of the left knee is rated at 30 percent, and his limitation of extension using the left knee is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran also received a separate rating for impairments due to meniscus injury including manifestations of 'locking'.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in this case is inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the matter to afford the Veteran an in-person VA examination and procure medical nexus opinions adequate for adjudication.