Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The left knee condition, PFB, and sinusitis/hay fever are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability and entitlement to TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated employment history and private treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions have been rated at 10% prior to August 19, 2020, and increased to 20% thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability did not render him unable to follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 24, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and right arm disabilities due to lack of VA examiner opinions on their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during and since service are considered in formulating these opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and hand disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's VA examinations, pain management records, inpatient records, and neurosurgery records need to be associated with the file.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis with no more than flexion limited to 50 degrees. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service medical and personnel records need to be obtained using the appropriate name.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations. The Veteran seeks higher disability ratings for his right shoulder and knee disabilities, but these issues were previously addressed in a January 2021 remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral heel, knee, and hip disabilities due to additional VA examination reports and treatment records being added to the file. The TDIU claim is also raised by the record and should be adjudicated in the first instance.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, a bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral eye cataracts. The Veteran's disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to her inservice injury and symptoms have continued since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for new VA examinations to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's left knee disabilities, including instability, arthritis, limitation of extension and flexion, and dislocated semilunar cartilage. The appeal is currently pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, instability, and recurrent subluxation, has been rated at 30 percent since November 9, 2021. The appeal is denied as the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with meniscal involvement is currently rated at 20 percent, which includes a separate 20 percent rating for instability and a 10 percent rating for painful limited motion. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, headaches, right upper extremity radiculopathy, back disability, left knee disability, and left hip disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to new evidence identified by the Veteran. The VA is required to obtain authorization and request private treatment records from relevant facilities and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied. The issues of service connection for a bilateral eye disability, arteriosclerosis, limitation of flexion and extension of the left knee, and bilateral nocturnal leg cramps are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.