Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and review of the Veteran's bilateral hip and left knee disabilities, as his symptoms have worsened since his last examinations.

The Veteran's ratings for sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity; instability, left knee; and instability, right knee were all restored to their previous levels of 10 percent effective August 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow bursitis and left knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, lumbar strain with IVDS, right knee PFPS, tinnitus, and residuals of TBI, meet the threshold minimum rating requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board granted this claim as it is just as likely as not that these conditions preclude the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU effective November 16, 2020. The appeal is remanded for consideration of TDIU prior to this date.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a skin disorder (PFB) have been granted. The appeals for heart disability, diabetes mellitus type II, right knee disability, and left knee disability are denied.

The petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder is granted. The Veteran's prostate disorder (including benign prostatic hypertrophy) and lumbar spine disorder are remanded, as well as his left eye disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if he currently has any of the claimed disabilities or if they are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating from September 3, 2014 to April 10, 2019.,A separate 10% disability rating for painful extension of the right knee is granted effective February 5, 2015.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal issues, as well as psychiatric disorders. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to an injury sustained during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and/or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and testicular condition have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for all three conditions.,The Veteran's PTSD and lumbosacral strain ratings are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for knee and shin splints disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a 40% rating for his lumbar strain for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper examination addressing right knee instability, and for consideration of new rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for low back, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral sinusitis. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a lung disability, psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and heart disorder. These issues are being remanded for further development.