Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that his current condition is not related to service. The Board also found that his left knee osteoarthritis did not have its onset during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent prior to January 22, 2020, and 30 percent since then. For his knee disabilities, a rating higher than 20 percent based on limitation of flexion has been granted for each knee up to April 30, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions discounting the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee injuries are currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and noncompensable for limitation of extension. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee conditions and TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.,Service connection was also denied for a joint condition (fibromyalgia), vertigo, sinus condition, headache condition (migraines), and gastrointestinal disability (GERD and hiatal hernia).

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis have been granted a 50% initial rating since March 15, 2021.,A 30% initial rating was granted for the same conditions from June 28, 2008 to March 14, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the left knee osteoarthritis is related to a service-connected wound from active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, shoulder, and knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he was attending school and had legal issues preventing employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of rating and service connection remain pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen his claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, but has also determined that additional examinations are needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Veteran's left knee instability and meniscectomy have been granted separate 10 percent ratings effective December 1, 2014.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including instability, were granted initial disability ratings. The right knee was rated at 10%, the left knee at 20% from October 14, 2014, with a maximum of 30% for both knees combined since March 12, 2018.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee strain, low back pain, and bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as degenerative arthritis), but remanded the claim for tinnitus due to outstanding records. The decision grants service connection for bilateral knee strain.

The Board has found the VA examinations and opinions to be inadequate for rating purposes, and thus remanded the cases for further development.

The Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, hypertension, respiratory disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, cold weather injury residuals, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,A rating in excess of 10 percent is also being remanded for left knee disability.

The Board has granted a TDIU on a schedular basis from August 31, 2012. However, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to that date is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for vascular insufficiency with right leg amputation and right knee injury due to conflicting statements regarding which leg was allegedly injured during service. The Veteran's service treatment records are illegible and/or unavailable, and a VA medical opinion is needed to address the claim.