Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically left knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis and right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis, have been granted a disability rating of 20 percent for each knee. Additionally, separate ratings of 20 percent have been assigned for left knee lateral instability and right knee lateral instability.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is granted a 10 percent rating effective January 14, 2014. A higher rating for the period prior to August 26, 2015, and from May 1, 2011, is denied.,Separate ratings are needed for superficial peroneal and deep peroneal nerve impairments. The Veteran's superficial peroneal and deep peroneal nerve impairments need further evaluation to determine if they overlap with his sciatic nerve impairments.,The Veteran's IVDS of the right sciatic nerve is denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 1, 2011. The Veteran's IVDS of the left sciatic nerve is also denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and migraine headaches, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain with IVDS, left knee strain with chondromalacia, and right knee strain with chondromalacia and patellofemoral pain syndrome due to incomplete records and need for an addendum opinion addressing the ameliorative effects of medication on his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and hip disabilities. The VA will need to obtain new medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including TKA and lateral instability, is granted with a 60% rating effective August 1, 2015. A separate 10% rating for right knee lateral instability is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right knee total arthroplasty rating is denied as the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable within one year of the August 2012 claim.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his left knee limitation of extension rating is denied as the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable within one year of the August 2012 claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee tendinitis is remanded due to the need for further examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand includes obtaining an adequate VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there was no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology and rejecting the Veteran's reports about his symptoms in service. The Board also noted inconsistencies between the Veteran's statements and medical knowledge.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right knee disability was increased to 10 percent in April 2018, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his left knee disabilities was denied. The current rating of 30 percent for limitation of flexion is maintained, and a separate rating for instability and meniscal tear is not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his active duty service or any service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected tinea cruris, hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the knees, and residual right great toe comminuted fracture are remanded due to delays in contacting him at his current address.

The Veteran's left knee disability, resulting in chronic residuals including severe painful motion, is granted a 60 percent evaluation prior to April 14, 2021.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to comply with its prior remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee patella alta condition is being remanded for further evaluation, and the TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the right knee rating issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities due to new evidence being added to the file.

The Board has restored the 20 percent evaluation for bilateral knee instability effective April 1, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral knee condition was denied. The Board found that there had been no actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.