Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has found that the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for his right knee laxity beginning July 2, 2010. However, further development is needed due to inadequate VA examination opinions and additional evidence must be considered.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral knee disability, finding that the current diagnoses were not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee traumatic arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome and instability was denied. A separate noncompensable rating for left knee flexion limitation from December 17, 2021 to the present was granted.

The appeal for service connection of depression has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of headaches, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation from August 25, 2010 until his death on December 16, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition should be remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, as it existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected. The issues of right knee and right wrist disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and instability have been granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, effective from April 28, 2014 to December 15, 2020.

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

The Veteran's left knee disabilities have worsened, and a new examination is needed. The issue of TDIU has also been raised due to the impact on employment from his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left knee posterior horn tear, left and right knee popliteal baker's cyst have been denied as the evidence does not show that his disabilities warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been denied as he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2007. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left and right knee conditions are related to service, as well as whether any current service-connected disabilities have aggravated these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for vertigo, sleep apnea, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to issues with substantial compliance with its previous orders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee arthritis, limitation of extension, were denied prior to August 21, 2020. After that date, the criteria for a compensable rating for both knees were not met.,For DJD, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent initial rating in April 2004 and has maintained this rating since then.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his period of service.,The Veteran's right arm, left arm, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right leg, and left leg disabilities are not related to his period of service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability, is remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and further investigation is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.