Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and clarifying her employment status. The right knee rating claim and TDIU claim are both remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for left knee disability, fibromyalgia, and liver disease are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions based on new evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of a fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula with varus deformity and left ankle fracture with limitation of motion and left knee condition with arthritis, as well as an increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injuries and parachute jumps, as well as the VA examination not addressing these issues.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty has been associated with secondary bilateral hip, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities. These issues have been raised by the record and need to be addressed further.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee strain with arthritis is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of osteonecrosis, secondary to his service-connected right knee strain with arthritis, is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee disorders due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address VA duty-to-assist obligations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee conditions, as well as his sinusitis. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability prior to December 24, 2020 due to insufficient evidence showing his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. No new evidence was presented, nor did he file a claim after June 20, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, low back, left leg, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptoms since separation from active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent from September 20, 2012 to September 4, 2015. Ratings in excess of 30 percent are not warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ear hearing loss and hypertension. The reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,Several initial rating claims have also been remanded, including those for shoulder, hip, knee, and spine disabilities.

The Veteran's right hip extension and flexion are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations.,Right hip flexion prior to August 1, 2020 is not compensable; after that date, it is rated as 40 percent disabling. Right thigh impairment remains at 20 percent since September 23, 2015.,The Veteran's right knee has a maximum rating of 20 percent for flexion prior to August 1, 2020 and 20 percent thereafter. The genu recurvatum is rated as 10 percent disabling.,Right leg length discrepancy remains at 30 percent before August 1, 2020 and 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not meet the criteria for additional VR&E benefits, other than employment services, to include a master's degree in pursuit of a career as a PA.

The Veteran's initial separate 10% rating for right knee arthritis with instability is granted, and the restoration of his 30% rating for service-connected right ankle arthritis is also granted.