Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 60 percent since December 1, 2010. The appeal is granted for an earlier effective date of December 1, 2010.,A higher initial rating for the right knee from June 1, 2004, to October 6, 2009, other than the ratings assigned for instability and extension, is denied. The appeal is granted for an earlier effective date of December 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding flare-ups and functional loss during those periods.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the issues regarding PTSD, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral knee conditions are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD due to in-service stressors, and his knees condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right knee strain and osteochondral defect lateral femoral condyle, as well as non-union fracture in ulna right wrist, are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations that comply with Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) standards.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 29, 2007, due to combined service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on the statutory housebound rate from December 30, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU from August 10, 2005 to August 1, 2014 as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and extraschedular referral was not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg condition, to include right knee condition is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis, and there was no evidence of impairment of the humerus, clavicle, scapula, or neurological/muscle group involvement.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence was received since the previous denial. The decision affirms the reopening of the previously denied claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the evaluations for left shoulder strain, right knee pain with Osgood-Schlatter disease history, and chronic bilateral epididymitis.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with painful motion and limitation on flexion is granted at a 10 percent rating prior to November 2, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy, right knee disability, and diabetes as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis and radiculopathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's right knee disability and GERD are related to service, with consideration of his lay statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action, including service connection for a ruptured left quadriceps tendon. The initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to outstanding SSA records, an inadequate VA examination regarding his left knee condition, and incomplete medical opinions on secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension of the left knee is granted.