Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss or knee disorders as they were determined to be unrelated to his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a left ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various knee disorders and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence added to the record since the last supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran is also being asked to provide a TDIU claim form, as his service-connected disabilities may prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, right knee arthritis, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee PCL deficiency are granted. The Veteran's TBI claim is remanded due to unclear evidence regarding current residuals. Right knee disability severity assessment and eligibility determinations for housing assistance are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of bilateral total knee replacements due to VA treatment is denied because the evidence does not establish that his disability resulted from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities due to lack of medical evidence supporting his assertions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for a left knee chronic strain was improper and void ab initio. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee, right foot plantar fasciitis, and service connection for chronic vomiting syndrome with weight loss and strength are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded his claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee prior to August 6, 2021 based on limitation of motion. From August 6, 2021, the evidence did not show flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or extension limited to 30 degrees or more.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain of the lower extremities due to conflicting opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service treatment.,For his bilateral foot disorder, the Board found that pes planus was noted at enlistment but not aggravated by service. Hallux valgus is considered multifactorial with possible genetic influences.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete VA examination reports and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected back and knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation as the claims file does not contain updated VA treatment records or a recent SSOC addressing this evidence. Additionally, another attempt to contact the Veteran for VA examinations is necessary.

The Veteran's right knee condition resulted in a rating of 10 percent from June 22, 2011 to April 8, 2021 and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension. From April 9, 2021, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for limitation of extension.,From June 22, 2011 to April 8, 2021, the Veteran's left knee condition resulted in an initial rating of 10 percent. From April 9, 2021, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, mood disorder, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also remanded on issues related to her bilateral foot condition and left leg length discrepancy. Her claim for service connection for a temporary total evaluation due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days has been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition, multiple joint pain, and stomach condition have been reopened due to new evidence. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,Respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions are also being remanded for additional examination and opinion.