Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 60% rating from March 23, 2017 onwards. He also received separate ratings for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including reductions in ratings and entitlement to separate ratings for meniscal disorders. The case is also remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee conditions and determine if his symptoms were present prior to the November 2017 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his in-service repetitive jumping duties.

The Veteran's claim for a left knee disorder was granted with an effective date of June 30, 2010. The Board found that the presumption of regularity had been rebutted and thus granted an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted. Service connection was established for back problems, but denied for bilateral knee disability and disability of the feet.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to January 30, 2019 is being remanded due to an error in applying the correct standard. The Board will now refer this matter to the Director of Compensation Services for consideration of whether a TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and osteoarthritis, is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to inadequate examination in August 2020. The Veteran's pre-existing low back disorder is presumed to have existed prior to service, but there must be clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee condition was granted. His PTSD rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right ankle injury, left knee condition secondary to residuals of right ankle injury, and right knee condition secondary to residuals of right ankle injury. The claim for service connection for skin condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee pain and right knee pain, including as secondary to a left knee injury. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development regarding his potential exposure to hazardous materials during service, particularly AFFF and asbestos.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for head injury residuals, to include vertigo and headaches, as well as neck disability due to lack of compliance with obtaining outstanding medical treatment records.,Service connection cannot be granted for bilateral knee disability, tinnitus, or bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis in the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip strain with arthritis and painful motion, limitation of flexion of the right hip, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher schedular evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is approximate balance of evidence in favor of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder, knee, and foot disabilities as well as sleep apnea have been denied due to the lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's left knee strain, medial collateral derangement, and meniscal degeneration status post arthroscopy for plica syndrome are at least as likely as not incurred in service. The Board granted the claim.

The Veteran's left knee is currently rated at 50 percent for limitation of extension, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for patellar instability. The appeal regarding the higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for DJD of the left knee and laxity of the ACL of the left knee are remanded. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 25, 2018, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2009 and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms.