Knee decisions — 2022

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, despite his reported symptoms and educational background.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding clarification from Dr. J.M.H. on his November 2015 private medical evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected knees.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee flexion and a noncompensable rating for right knee extension. The case is being sent back for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing the Veteran's lay testimony regarding his knee instability. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for left knee instability prior to September 25, 2013 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except GERD have been withdrawn. The appeal for GERD has been dismissed as it was fully granted in a previous decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional evidence and an examination, as well as potential changes in rating criteria following the Veteran's recent total right knee replacement.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues concerning his left knee disability and TDIU prior to July 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a retroactive medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and asking her to complete a TDIU claim form. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for her left shoulder, left knee, right knee instability/subluxation, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding right knee injury, left hand injury, left knee injury, left finger condition and low and mid back pain.

The Veteran's left foot disability has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The other issues related to the hips and knee have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and denied an evaluation in excess of this.,The Veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of extension, is rated at 0 percent and denied a compensable initial evaluation.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and denied an evaluation in excess of this.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of extension, is rated at 0 percent and denied a compensable initial evaluation.

The Veteran's costochondritis is rated as noncompensable, with no functional impairment noted on examination. The lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other disabling symptoms.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's coronary artery disease did not manifest during active duty or be related to service. The service-connected left hip and knee arthritis disabilities were found not to have contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received after a prior final denial. The Veteran's right knee disorders are currently being reviewed on their merits, with an emphasis on determining whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examination. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, specifically addressing instability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was previously denied due to lack of evidence. The Board has now reopened the claim based on new and material evidence, but further development is needed before the merits can be addressed.