Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating. The claims for vertigo, headaches (secondary to vertigo), and rhinitis have been remanded due to insufficient development or evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and back disabilities, both related to a service-connected left knee disability, are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The issues will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee chondromalacia was denied. The Veteran's bipolar disorder received an increased rating to 70% with a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and tinea versicolor, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since November 21, 2008. As of that date, his combined disability rating was at least 40%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or disease and arthritis did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of GERD was denied, and the claim for service connection of a left knee condition was also denied. The Board found no current disability related to the left knee and insufficient evidence linking any present symptoms to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis, finding that it began during his active duty service.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that prior to January 24, 2019, his condition did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions began in service and have continued since then.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a current left knee strain, which may be related to in-service leg pain and overuse syndrome.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various knee and hip replacements due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 24, 2014. The decision also found that the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was not raised by the record.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the attorney withdrew all remaining issues in the pending appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and hemorrhoids are remanded for further examination and opinion. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided in response to prior remands were not substantially compliant with the directives. Therefore, the cases are being returned for further development and consideration.