Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is etiologically related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as her flexion does not reach 30 degrees or less.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires additional development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of pes planus, bilateral foot disability (including degenerative joint disease), left-hand disability (other than left wrist osteoarthritis and left fifth finger sprain), bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, right scapular pain, and dizziness are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as left and right ankle and shoulder conditions have been granted.,All four of the Veteran's claimed conditions are considered to be related to her active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, including during flare-ups.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, which may be related to his service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for right and left foot disorders, a back disability, loss of voice including due to chronic laryngitis, and a left hand disorder were denied. The claim for increased ratings for the right knee instability and lost flexion was granted. A TDIU from February 26, 2015, to March 30, 2016, was granted.

The Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received for several service connection claims, including sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, left leg injury residuals, bilateral knee arthritis, left thigh numbness (secondary to lumbar strain), gout, depression, and high cholesterol. The Veteran's SSA records are requested as they may be relevant.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with iliotibial band syndrome remains at 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his GERD, were granted increased ratings to 60 percent effective January 4, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability and blindness of the left eye, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left-knee sprain with meniscal injury and arthritis, as well as left-knee instability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current right knee condition is not related to his military service and did not arise within one year of separation. The decision also found no secondary service connection due to left knee DJD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, and spine conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is not presumed to have had these conditions during his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding her low back, left knee, psychiatric, chemical exposure, skin cancer, genitourinary, hypothyroidism, and muscle damage disabilities. The appeals will be further evaluated based on the results of these examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee ACL tear, right knee strain (painful limited extension), and right knee strain (painful limited flexion) associated with the left knee ACL were denied. The Veteran was not granted any higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted an increased rating to 60 percent as of October 1, 2018, for residuals of a total right knee replacement.,The Veteran is also granted TDIU and the grant of SMC based on regular need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right knee disabilities to determine if they are secondary to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for left shoulder bursitis is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.