Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage is granted, while his claims for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage and instability, as well as right knee degenerative arthritis, are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and respiratory condition due to asbestos. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than schizophrenia) was granted.,Service connection for the right and left knee conditions is not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has identified duty to assist errors in the Veteran's claims and requires new VA examinations for her bilateral knee disabilities. The case is remanded for these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for both the left and right knee disabilities, finding that they began during periods of INACDUTRA and have continued to the present.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear is granted a separate rating, and the claims for increased ratings of his left knee instability and right knee strain with tendonitis are remanded. The thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease was denied. The claim was granted on a presumptive basis under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, but the Board found that no earlier effective date could be assigned as there is no evidence showing the Veteran filed a claim within one year of his separation from active service in October 1967 or before May 3, 1989. The appeal for other conditions was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the cause of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit additional evidence and a VA medical opinion will be arranged to determine if his current left knee condition is related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left knee replacements, and left hip replacements due to new evidence received. The case is remanded for further development regarding whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis was aggravated by his anthrax vaccination series.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining records from a non-VA medical provider where the Veteran receives care.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thyroid condition, but remanded his claims for bilateral knee and intestinal conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for skeletal arthritis and bilateral hip disability, finding no persuasive evidence of these conditions during or related to the Veteran's military service.,The appeal was remanded on the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated VA examinations to assess the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and nerve conditions, including as secondary to a low back condition. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and determine if there was any aggravation of pre-existing conditions during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for systemic lupus erythematosus, renal disease secondary to lupus, Raynaud's disease, scleroderma, and a left knee disability are all granted. The claim for service connection of the left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, and skin disability to obtain additional medical opinions and further development.

The Board has granted separate disability ratings of 10 percent for limitation of extension in the left and right knees since June 9, 2020.,The Board has also granted a combined rating of 20 percent for instability in both knees.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a need for an examination addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder contributed to his obesity, which in turn caused or aggravated his OSA, lumbar spine disorder, left thigh meralgia paresthetica, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's left knee instability and painful motion have been granted a 30 percent rating, effective throughout the period of the claim. A separate 10 percent rating for limited extension has also been granted since August 3, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis as a chronic respiratory condition is granted.,The claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues, including those related to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis, and chronic venous abnormality. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.