Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient VA treatment records. The Veteran's representative withdrew from the case, and she is now representing herself.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions and need for further development regarding knee disorders, PTSD, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to an earlier effective date and an increased rating for a left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and other procedural issues.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral foot disorders, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee was denied. For the period prior to January 16, 2019, he received a separate 10 percent rating for his meniscal condition. From January 16, 2019 onwards, he is already receiving a combined 100 percent schedular rating due to multiple sclerosis and related conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development and clarification regarding substitution requests. The Veteran's son and sister are seeking to continue his appeal, but there is confusion about who should be the appellant. Additionally, outstanding VA treatment records and private medical records must be obtained.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for right knee arthritis and an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine. The left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is rated at 60 percent effective October 5, 2020.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, was rated at 30 percent from May 24, 2021. The rating is for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and ensuring compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability and for TDIU prior to September 16, 2012. The remand is due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left leg lymphedema, a left shoulder disability as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, obesity as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, and an increased rating for the left knee disability due to new evidence and updated examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with arthritis and limitation of flexion is granted, effective from December 12, 2019. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left knee strain with arthritis and limitation of extension remains denied. The claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain with arthritis and instability remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that the current bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle arthralgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical examinations and potential incarceration issues.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his left hand disability, were denied higher initial ratings. The Veteran was granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's left ankle disability was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee arthralgia with old Osgood-Schlatter's disease is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a rating in excess of this has been denied. A separate 20 percent rating was granted for dislocation of semilunar cartilage associated with right knee disability as of November 5, 2019. From July 23, 2011, a 20 percent rating is assigned for lumbar strain with DDD and foraminal stenosis. Service connection has been granted for left knee chondromalacia patella and meniscus tear as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to authorize VA to obtain private treatment records. The issues include left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, lumbar spine, and right thumb disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination did not provide an adequate rationale for their opinion and that the examiner did not address the Veteran's lay statements. The claim is being remanded again to allow for a proper examination.