Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including range of motion assessments and a comprehensive assessment of functional limitations.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to knee braces and topical medication for arthritis are granted. The decision is based on the wear and tear these items cause to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hip, right knee, and lumbar radiculopathy disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The case of total unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for residual scars, status post ACL-MCL repair of the left knee is granted at a 20 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee arthritis received a 10 percent rating from July 5, 2012 to January 14, 2014 and was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for partial medial meniscectomy from July 15, 2011 to January 14, 2014. The Veteran's right knee status post total knee arthroplasty received a 30 percent rating after March 1, 2015.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent each since April 10, 2014. The Board denied increased ratings for both knees as the evidence did not show any additional functional loss or instability beyond what is already reflected in the current rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, hand, and neck disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral toe disorders due to missing hospital records from his military service. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records, as well as any worker's compensation records related to his right knee injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, heart disability, left knee pain, and migraines, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment since November 11, 2005. A temporary total rating for convalescence associated with a right shoulder condition is denied, but a TDIU is granted effective November 11, 2005.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to conflicting evidence regarding whether her preexisting condition was aggravated during active duty or INACDUTRA. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for total left knee replacement, residuals of a total right knee replacement, and degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine with herniated disks have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and left knee disability due to incomplete development of the record. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration.

The Veteran's right knee instability has been rated at 10 percent prior to August 23, 2016 and at 20 percent from August 23, 2016 to January 21, 2021. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period from January 22, 2021, the Veteran's right knee instability warrants a disability rating of 30 percent under the current criteria.,The Veteran's posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee remains rated at null.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal in its entirety.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities. The issues on appeal are related to evaluations based on limitation of motion.