Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed all the appeals regarding various conditions and disabilities as they are not related to service connection.

The Veteran's muscle disorder and arthritis of the right and left knee were not incurred in or caused by service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left hip, right hip, and knee disabilities are denied as service connection is not established.,PTSD service connection is remanded due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has denied service connection for TB due to lack of current disability evidence. The claims for left knee, lumbar spine, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner's opinions were not sufficient.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and scheduling issues, requiring further development including an MRI, x-ray, and another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a right shoulder disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injury and continuity of symptoms are considered.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis status post-meniscus tear repair of the left knee prior to January 27, 2015 is being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with the duty to assist, as required. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and temporary total evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his knees and ensure consistency with the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported flare-ups and lack of supporting medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his right knee total arthroplasty have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board). The criteria for a higher rating were not met or approximated from March 1, 2014 to December 27, 2021 and from December 27, 2021 forward.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 20, 2013. Separate noncompensable ratings are granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities remain rated at 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various knee and hip conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, specifically tenosynovitis, do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his contentions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee meniscus tear and left carpal tunnel syndrome are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right knee meniscus tear, hysterectomy residuals, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome issues are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, left Achilles' tendonitis and rupture, and right Achilles' tendonitis and rupture.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of right hip, knee, and leg conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.