Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities of bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral ankles, right knee, and fifth metatarsal of the left foot require additional development due to a lack of updated VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been restored to their previous ratings of 30 percent for left knee and 20 percent for right knee, effective November 1, 2014. The decision also dismissed the appeals regarding a temporary total disability rating for knee surgery and TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and left and right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to type 2 diabetes mellitus. The decision found that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied on the basis of secondary service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal and auditory disorders due to the need for additional medical evidence and new opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and an earlier effective date prior to January 6, 2015, for service connection for major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending appeals by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to specific dates have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues related to the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and scars.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral knee conditions are rated based on their current severity. The Board has found staged ratings for PTSD, with a higher rating granted since November 3, 2015, and an even higher rating since May 21, 2019. Effective dates for service connection of the knees and PTSD need to be addressed. Initial ratings for left and right knee conditions are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the withdrawal of his attorney as representative and hearing request. As a result, all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right hip disorders. The claims are now remanded for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted a 10 percent rating each, effective from May 4, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and opinion regarding her cervical spine, left shoulder, bilateral knee, and headaches disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to verify her period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training, obtain any outstanding reserve service treatment records, and provide VA opinions on whether these conditions are related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence and conflicting medical opinions. The issues include hypothyroidism, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total rating based on treatment for Hepatitis C requiring hospitalization is dismissed as moot due to his current 100% rating. The left knee disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was initially rated at 10% and later increased to 20%. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral leg disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee condition and migraine headaches due to missing treatment records and a need for updated VA examinations.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral knee arthritis is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.