Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision remains adverse to the Veteran and he should be furnished a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's left knee disability, including tendinitis and partial tendon tear, has been rated at 20 percent since January 11, 2010. The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability and a 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left knee disability due to incomplete range of motion testing in weight bearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were dismissed. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and physical disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues for increased ratings, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records, conduct examinations, and consider the claims in light of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further examination and medical opinions to determine if it is related to his service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various shoulder and spine disabilities, as well as a left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions provided in October 2021.

The Board denied service connection for all three knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's right shoulder condition did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The Board also found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder condition in service and concluded that any current right shoulder condition is more likely due to natural progression rather than service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as bilateral ankle disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for his right knee disorder is denied. The earliest evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability was on October 24, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease, finding that he did not meet the schedular criteria and his service-connected disability does not render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected left medial meniscus tear with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent effective September 1, 2016. The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from that date.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge and continuity of symptomatology was not established.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disorder, concluding that arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge and continuity of symptomatology was not established.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year of discharge, and there was no evidence of noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between any current eye conditions and service, nor was there sufficient evidence to find that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful course of employment, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his right knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder. The RO is instructed to obtain updated medical records, confirm periods of active duty service, and request an opinion from a clinician on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for PTSD, with a rating of 70 percent effective from December 20, 2018.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, left knee/left leg disability, and migraine headaches have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.