Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis, left ankle sprain with instability, and right knee internal derangement status post posterior collateral ligament tear have been denied. The VA has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not cause him to be in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has granted service connection for a tear of the meniscus of the Veteran's left knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease and popliteus tenosynovitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee arthritis and gout due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's left knee arthritis is found to be related to service, but his right knee conditions are not.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected left knee condition is being remanded due to conflicting medical findings regarding instability and the need for a brace. Clarification is needed on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for clarification on the progression of the Veteran's knee condition.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a right-hand condition or bilateral knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting statements about when the Veteran stopped working and needs clarification on his employment prior to January 1, 2011.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left knee degenerative condition with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint was denied. The Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for this condition.,From May 10, 2008, through November 15, 2017, the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease based on limitation of flexion was rated as 10 percent disabling. After that period, a separate initial rating of 10 percent for limitation of extension and instability were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability as they are related to his service, and requests that he undergo another VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of traumatic brain injury and spider bite, right thigh and knee with cellulitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for right knee, back, and right foot disabilities. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest during service or within one year of service, and is not etiologically caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg disability to include a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have such condition during or within one year after his military service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found that the current disability was less likely than not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and meniscal repair residuals. The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or within one year post-service that led to current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran is also required to undergo new VA examinations for his acquired psychiatric disorders, hypertension, left knee arthritis, right shoulder injury, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, including of the bilateral hips, knees, hands, thumbs, ankles, and lumbar and cervical spine, was not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disability was aggravated by his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of evidence.