Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and neurological disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, ankles, feet, and low back, as well as headaches and hypertension. The remand requires obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his right knee disability, post total knee replacement from March 1, 2018 is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increase beyond the current 60 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, Right Shoulder Disability, Left Shoulder Disability, Right Knee Disability, and Left Knee Disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and physical strain during service.

The Veteran's left and right knee degenerative arthritis with painful motion have been rated at 10 percent since July 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Other issues related to his service-connected disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, except for the period from September 12, 2017 to November 1, 2017. The Board has remanded several issues related to his knee and spine conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her left foot disability is denied. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip and knee disabilities, which are secondary to her service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities and to clarify information regarding assistive devices and instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their severity.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from August 22, 2016. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's left knee was granted initial ratings of 20 percent for instability and effusion, but denied a higher rating for Osgood Schlatter's disease with patellofemoral pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a right-hand disability (dominant), degenerative disc disease with right lower radiculopathy (claimed as low back condition), degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee have been remanded due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right-hand disability (dominant) and degenerative joint disease of the right knee were also remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been granted at a 10 percent level, effective from the dates specified. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee injury due to inadequate medical opinion and failure to consider lay evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for neck, left knee, left elbow, left shoulder, left ankle, and left rib disorders based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The AOJ will seek SSA records, arrange for a VA examination, and consider new evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for left shoulder, left knee, right hand, and left hand disorders due to satisfaction with the decision on other claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee conditions was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to August 5, 2017 and remanded the claims for left knee instability and osteoarthritis.