Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of several conditions, including neurological disorders and knee issues. The claims were dismissed as the evidence did not meet reopening criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disorder, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left hernia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee arthritis is denied, and his claims for increased ratings for right knee meniscal tear and lateral patellar instability are granted. He is now rated at 20% for the latter condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The earlier effective dates for PTSD and tinnitus are denied as there were no prior, unadjudicated claims.,PTSD was granted with an initial rating from April 17, 2015 to May 30, 2018, and a higher rating than 10 percent for tinnitus is being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability was previously rated at 10 percent, but the RO reduced it to 50 percent. The Veteran failed to appear for a hearing and his request was deemed withdrawn. The Board finds that the April 2015 SOC is defective and remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was granted at a 40 percent level, effective February 1, 2012. The ratings for right and left knee disorders remain unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to issues with his right knee and left knee instability. The rating for the service-connected left knee condition remains denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 60% rating effective August 1, 2020.,For the period prior to June 4, 2019, his right knee disability was rated at 10%. The low back disability has been rated at 40% since November 9, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his employment, which precludes him from meeting the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's left second metacarpal fracture is granted a rating of at least 10 percent from May 19, 2017. The Board has remanded cases for service connection and evaluation of other conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development and examination are needed for the issues on appeal due to outstanding private treatment records, worsening symptoms of GERD, and assertions regarding undiagnosed illnesses. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability and myositis are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee dystrophic calcification, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and right shoulder condition due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are not service-connected due to a lack of adequate medical opinions addressing secondary service connection. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disorders have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities need further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral knee disorder, as they are related to his service-connected back condition. Additional development is needed to obtain private treatment records from a hospital where the Veteran had a reported knee surgery in 2000 or 2001.