Knee decisions — 2022

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating of right knee instability as it is not related to service connection and the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to have caused his obesity, which was a substantial factor in the development of his Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Right Knee Disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted entitlement to total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) throughout this appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI resulted in occupational and social impairment prior to October 19, 2018. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for this period. Sleep apnea was remanded due to lack of probative value in the November 2020 VA examination. Right knee internal derangement and low back disability were also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it requires a brace or assistive device and its instability level.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his left and right knee disabilities from 10% to 30% effective June 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, except for the period prior to September 1, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran had worked in a protected work environment since September 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, as the current examination did not address all relevant theories of entitlement.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right leg and knee disability will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's right knee total replacement rating is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's meniscal tear of the left knee is granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective October 4, 2016. The Veteran's hearing loss from February 10, 2017 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since September 1, 2017. Effective September 1, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been rated at 60% since January 1, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinion in the March 2018 VA examination. The Veteran's claim is now pending again with the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and inconsistent medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the left knee brace used in 2018 due to consistent use and wear and tear of his clothing.