Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's tibialis posterior tendon injury of the left foot is granted a higher 20 percent rating effective September 27, 2017. The initial rating for this condition prior to that date remains denied. Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's COPD and lumbar spine disability were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Board finds the VA examiners' opinions to be highly probative.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity arthritis/tendonitis and headaches are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right ankle disorder as a residual of a right fifth metatarsal fracture, both found to be related to service.,Both conditions were initially denied in March 2014 but reopened due to new evidence. The claims are now considered granted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent each, and the Board finds no basis for higher ratings. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Veteran has a current degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, tinnitus, and depressive disorder that are related to his active service.,The Veteran is entitled to an increased evaluation for right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome, right knee lateral instability, and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the claimed disabilities, particularly PTSD and respiratory issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted. The rating issues related to his knees and lower extremities, as well as his left eye disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the recent decision, and he wishes to withdraw all remaining issues on his appeal.

The Veteran's left knee disability prior to October 14, 2010 was rated at 30 percent and the Board denied an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new one.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased PTSD ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 70% disability rating for PTSD, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his ankle, foot, knee, and TDIU disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of right knee degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's flexion limitation did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, but granted a compensable rating based on limited extension. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy in multiple extremities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to insufficient information regarding functional impairment caused by the disabilities, including pain on motion. The examination should include range of motion measurements and assess any instability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease has been partially granted. He is now rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and instability, but not for extension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right knee disability and other musculoskeletal issues, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 19, 2019.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a right knee condition was granted. Service connection for the right knee condition itself is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and reopened the claim for a sleep disability to include sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to accurately assess his right knee disability, including range of motion and functional impairment.