Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development needs, including another VA examination by an orthopedic specialist.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his military service.

The Veteran's partial medial meniscectomy of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but his range of motion has been found to be limited to 40 degrees for flexion and zero degrees for extension. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the current limitation does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under DC 5260 or DC 5261.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee condition prevents him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's left foot strain is rated at 10 percent, but no higher, since March 18, 2016. The Board has now remanded the issues of increased ratings for his left hamstring tendonitis with left knee strain and right knee strain.,VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any observed disorders in the Veteran's right elbow, hips, and knees. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a left knee disability, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination, and the Veteran needs to be re-examined for her right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for eczema has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for left knee condition associated with degenerative arthritis, left ankle.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tongue cancer and his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune or Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. The right knee disability case also requires a new VA examination as the previous opinion was based on incorrect information provided by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to link any past or present symptoms to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for left knee patellar tendonitis was granted with a 10% rating effective August 31, 2013. In May 2021, the VA increased his rating to 30%, effective May 13, 2021. The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for special monthly compensation and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and conduct current VA examinations.,Service connection is also being remanded for a right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar, residual of hernia repair, was denied as the evidence did not support that it is painful or unstable and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hip conditions (claimed as bone deterioration due to radiation) was denied because there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection with service. The Veteran's current hip conditions are attributed to avascular necrosis, which may be related to alcohol abuse.

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to February 18, 2011, due to his service-connected disabilities that rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.