Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, left knee instability, left knee scars, and adjustment disorder render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his right and left knee conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee, and left foot disabilities worsened since a previous examination in August 2017, necessitating a new VA examination to determine their current severity. The pseudofolliculitis barbae issue is also remanded for clarification of its history and treatment.

The Board has remanded the claims for a skin disorder under the right eye and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted increased ratings of 20% for the right knee condition and 30% for each wrist condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed joints, and the Veteran's reported symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach/digestive condition, right leg/knee disability (claimed as muscle and joint pain), left leg/knee disability (claimed as muscle and joint pain), and headaches has been granted.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his stomach/digestive condition, right leg/knee disability, left leg/knee disability, and headache disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for colon cancer and denied vitamin D deficiency. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent disability rating for his left foot condition, which equates to a severe foot injury with pain and limited range of motion, is granted. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as the evidence does not show it was present during active duty or related to service. The Veteran's claims for left knee, right knee, and back conditions are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient information regarding the severity of his knee conditions during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, PTSD, and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, hypertension, heart disability (Atrial Fibrillation and AICD), and low back disorder.,There is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including his right knee disability, lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, and respiratory condition. The Regional Office is required to obtain updated medical records and conduct new examinations for these conditions.

The Board has granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent for instability of the left knee, effective May 4, 2021. The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia progressed to include symptoms of slight to mild instability beginning on that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if any right knee disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including new examinations to assess the Veteran's knee and spine disabilities. The appeals of the ratings assigned for these conditions are also being remanded due to inconsistencies in previous examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of a disability as defined by VA. The claims for increased ratings for hypertension, right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and Bells' Palsy syndrome are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to November 30, 2016. Additional development is required, including obtaining Social Security Administration disability records, updating the Veteran's VA Form 21-8940, conducting employment verification, and obtaining all outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for painful or limited motion and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for each knee disability, post total replacement or arthroplasty, based on chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness.