Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to left knee disability, back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal condition, and headache disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are denied. Separate 10% ratings are granted for instability of both knees.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee, hip, back, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The appeals are REMANDED due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition. The Veteran contends his current condition is related to service, but a VA examiner found no evidence of chronic conditions resulting from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, including arthritis and meniscal tears, as secondary to service-connected hip and/or spine disabilities. Additional evidence is needed, including VA treatment records since 1997 and an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The VA will need to obtain a new opinion from a different examiner.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for lumbar strain, TBI, anxiety disorder, degenerative joint disease of the knees, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and mood disorder. The PTSD appeal is remanded due to lack of verification of a reported in-service stressor involving rape.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain an addendum opinion from a different examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The appeal is being remanded due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left hip and left knee disabilities, as the previous VA examinations did not comply with the requirements in Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limited flexion and extension, is currently rated at 10 percent. The decision grants a rating of 10 percent for the period before January 29, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee osteoarthritis and TKA was granted. He is now rated at 60 percent for the residuals of his TKA as of March 1, 2021.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted in February 2013, and a 60 percent rating has been assigned effective February 2, 2021. The issues of an increased rating for the left knee disability and TDIU remain on appeal.

The Veteran's right fibula fracture residuals and associated right knee arthropathy have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 40% effective from February 7, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups at different examination times.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and TDIU. The Veteran's current knee disorders were not shown in service, not shown to be related to service, and the VA examiner concluded they were more likely due to his post-service employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left ankle sprain, low back condition, throat condition (claimed as strep throat), and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,For the right knee disability, a separate 10 percent rating prior to February 7, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter for right patellar instability (previously rated as right knee instability) was granted. However, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of motion of the right knee remains denied.