Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on instability or other complications.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease due to limited extension and left knee degenerative joint disease due to limited extension have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease due to instability has been denied. The Veteran's claim for disability ratings greater than 10 percent prior to October 26, 2021, and greater than 20 percent thereafter, for right knee degenerative joint disease based on limited flexion and left knee degenerative joint disease based on limited flexion have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's current lumbar spine and left knee disorders are not related to his active service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion, is rated at 20 percent since April 23, 2013. A separate rating for limited flexion remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and ankle disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment starting in May 2009, leading to a TDIU effective date of May 31, 2009.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were evaluated, with the right knee receiving a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion. The left knee received separate ratings for limitation of extension and patellar subluxation. These decisions are based on the severity of the disability as determined by medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims at this time.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are still rated at 10 percent, but a separate rating of 10 percent is assigned for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right knee disability was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and back disorders. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and a sleep disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn, while the remaining claims are being reviewed again due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 17, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence is factually ascertainable and tends to show that he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability. The claims of urinary incontinence and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depressive disorder) are secondary to a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is also denied for the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5 S/P laminectomy; spondylosis and right sided radiculopathy, as well as his cervical spine disability. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as arthritis and status post total knee replacement, is granted.,The Veteran's seizure disorder, diagnosed as grand mal epilepsy, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed due to inadequate medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU award, but there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he may be unemployable due to these conditions. The case is therefore remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the conditions and active duty service.