Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of a cervical spine disability and right knee disability to obtain additional development, including verification of service dates and addendum opinions from VA examiners. The issues are currently pending further action.

The Veteran's right knee derangement and instability is now rated at 20 percent from April 21, 2021. The left knee derangement and instability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding secondary service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD was granted an increased rating of 40 percent prior to October 8, 2019. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and right knee disability were remanded.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities that met the criteria for a TDIU based on combined ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU, and his claim is referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration. The pension claim remains pending as there are no issues related to service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination reports and failure to address prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, subluxation of the left knee, limitation of extension of the left knee, and a compensable disability rating for subluxation of the left knee since September 21, 2021. The remand is due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee patella fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues include cardiac disability, bilateral hearing loss, neurological disabilities of both upper extremities, right knee disability, PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The claim will be reviewed with an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee instability, and a scar on his right knee due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the existence of these conditions and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lipoma of the left upper back area is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and joint pain are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease during service or within one year post-service. The current bilateral knee condition (diagnosed as bilateral knee strain and degenerative arthritis) is not related to an in-service motorcycle accident.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis and instability, was rated at 10% from August 13, 2014, to April 4, 2016. The rating for instability is granted.

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

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability from July 26, 2020.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for instability from July 26, 2020.

The Veteran's left knee instability prior to December 1, 2015 was not manifested by limitation of flexion or extension. The increased disability rating for left knee instability from December 1, 2015 to September 4, 2018 and from December 1, 2018 is granted.,The Veteran's right knee instability prior to December 1, 2015 was not manifested by limitation of flexion or extension. The increased disability rating for right knee instability from December 1, 2015 to September 4, 2018 and from December 1, 2018 is granted.,The Veteran's face scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.