Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection were denied. The claim for hypertension was dismissed due to withdrawal, while the other issues related to right elbow and knee disabilities as well as scars of the breasts associated with breast reduction were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, thus SMC based on these criteria is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee DJD and acquired psychiatric conditions due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine IVDS, lumbar degenerative disease, and bilateral knee arthritis due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee DJD, instability, and limitation of motion due to outstanding VA treatment records not being available in the file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his left knee disability, as well as a claim for a lower left leg disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims. The Board has also remanded several issues including PTSD, thoracolumbar spine strain, right shoulder rotator cuff strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with Osgood Schlatter's disease, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with Osgood Schlatter's disease, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding his right knee condition, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), and low back condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and residuals of septorhinoplasty. The Veteran's GERD and Meniere's disease are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, while her initial higher than 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and the Veteran's claims must be remanded once again for addendum medical opinions to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism was granted a 100% rating prior to April 10, 2017. The TDIU issue is moot due to the SMC grant for the entire appeal period. SMC was granted prior to April 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right knee disability have been granted. The appeal regarding the rating for right elbow sprain prior to April 20, 2021 has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection. The appeal regarding limitation of flexion since April 20, 2021 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The non-union right tibial tubercle claim was denied as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 10 degrees, while limitation of extension was found to be zero percent. Shin splints were also denied as they were not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement was granted a rating of 60 percent from March 1, 2016 to November 19, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The claims for left knee effusion and trochanteric bursitis of the left hip are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and remands the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the left knee disability and scar.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need of regular aid and attendance, which the Board finds warrants special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.