Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's right total knee replacement is still being evaluated for appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 17, 2018. Service connection for left ear hearing loss and stomach pain are denied. The issue of service connection for back pain, bilateral knee pain, and a bilateral toenail condition (onychomycosis) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is also granted.

Your appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, increased rating for left knee condition, and increased rating for migraines have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence regarding the onset of these conditions during or shortly after active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left hip conditions are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service, including the in-service bicycle accident. The claims will be reconsidered after the examinations.

The Veteran's bowel disability is not service-connected as it is not related to his active-duty service, nor is it proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's bilateral elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes degenerative joint disease following a total knee replacement, is currently rated at 40 percent prior to October 6, 2019, and the Board has remanded for further evaluation. The appeal was not about service connection but rather about increased ratings.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations and opinions are necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and cervical spine disorders before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from a nursing home where the Veteran receives care since his stroke in January 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right deltoid tendinitis, left shoulder impingement syndrome and labral tear, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and arthritis of the lumbar spine. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability but remanded the issue of service connection for left ear conductive hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for chronic sinusitis, lower back disorder, and right lower leg/knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence or statements regarding her knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim from September 7, 2016 was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscectomy residuals is remanded due to inadequate reasons and bases provided by the Board. The Court found that the Board did not adequately explain why the medical evidence was more probative than the Veteran's lay statements regarding reports of left knee instability.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to the possibility of relevant SSA records not being associated with the case file.

The Veteran's current atrial fibrillation disability is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. For the entire period on appeal, the evidence does not show limitation of right knee flexion below 40 degrees. The Veteran has been found to have moderate instability for the entire period on appeal and a separate evaluation of 20 percent for frequent locking episodes with pain and effusion is granted since July 20, 2018. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for right knee meniscectomy is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and instability were denied. The rating before November 17, 2021 was denied as the flexion did not reach 30 degrees and extension did not reach 15 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded. The left shoulder disability claim is reopened, but the lumbar spine sprain with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as left hip disability), right knee instability, left knee flexion limitation, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and migraine headaches claims are remanded for further development.