Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral sacroiliac joint dysfunction, mechanical low back strain, coccydynia, and right shoulder tendonitis and bursitis due to conflicting evidence of record. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The claim for TDIU is remanded due to the lack of development and need for a medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a respiratory condition has been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, hypertension, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and heart disability, including whether they are related to service or environmental exposures.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of dental trauma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee injury, and right ankle injury has been granted. The claims are remanded for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his preexisting condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder as a result of VA treatment, a right knee disorder, hepatitis C, and a low back disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records are needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to his service as a wheeled vehicle mechanic.

The Veteran's initial rating of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis is denied as his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion and other symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability, except for a remand on the issue of entitlement to a separate compensable disability rating for right knee instability prior to November 7, 2016. The case is being remanded to obtain an expert medical opinion regarding the presence and severity of right knee instability before that date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia patella, limitation of extension, and instability of the left knee. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle sprain.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion, and the issues regarding instability are denied.,For his left knee prior to February 7, 2021, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion. From that date onwards, he has been granted a 20 percent rating due to persistent instability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings. The cause of death is also being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, wrist, ankle, and lumbosacral disabilities. Service connection was granted for eczema and bilateral eye keratoconus. Migraine headaches were presumed to be incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide whether his left shoulder and knee disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a mood disability and multiple orthopedic disorders, have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 16, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limitation of flexion and instability, has been rated at 20 percent since September 24, 2021. The appeal is denied as the rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.