Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right leg length discrepancy and right hip osteoarthritis, status post arthroplasty are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected right knee internal derangement.,VA previously denied these claims due to a lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to potential issues with the Veteran's death. The cases will be returned to the Board once it is confirmed whether the Veteran is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period prior to March 28, 2017 is being remanded as there are insufficient records of functional impairment during that time.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for an eye injury has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent for moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The RO reduced the rating to 10 percent effective January 19, 2021, based on painful motion of the knee under 38 C.F.R. § 4.59. The reduction is granted as it was not proper and void ab initio.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sinusitis, sleep apnea, and chondromalacia with mild arthritis of the left knee, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records and for a VA examination regarding his right hand disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and uncompleted VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus prior to January 25, 2021 is denied. An increased disability rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus effective January 25, 2021 is granted. Service connection for a back condition and a bilateral knee condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are related to his service. The disabilities were diagnosed as gout or degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic arthritis of his knees and a bilateral toe disability, finding that these conditions are directly related to his active-duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the preexisting condition was aggravated by service. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran had a pre-existing right knee injury prior to enlistment and that this condition worsened during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various foot, knee, ankle, and hip disorders are granted as they are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's right and left knee osseous infarcts are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating under DC 5260 for limitation of flexion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of more than moderate limitation of motion in either knee.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 60 percent effective February 22, 2022. The rating is for total knee replacement with chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of compensable limitation of extension. Therefore, a rating in excess of 40 percent for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's hip and knee disabilities are partially increased, with a 10% evaluation granted for limitation of extension in the right hip and left hip. The case is remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various shoulder and spine disabilities, as well as a knee disability, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary causation. The VA is instructed to obtain new addendum opinions from an appropriate examiner.