Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disorder and remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disorder. The decision summary is that the Veteran's current neck disorder is not related to his military service, while the left knee disorder needs further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis (claimed as feet pain) is denied due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and active service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches is remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bruxism (claimed as teeth grinding) is remanded to determine if it is related to his service-connected PTSD with unspecified anxiety.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets or nearly meets the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating increases for knee disabilities, lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete examination reports and lack of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of low back, left knee, right ankle disabilities and IBS secondary to PTSD. The cases are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's bilateral foot, ankle, and knee conditions are inadequate due to a lack of STRs. The claims are being remanded for new VA medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and instability was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing onset or aggravation during service, continuity of symptomatology, or a link between the current conditions and the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right and left knee flexion disabilities were denied initial ratings in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, from June 26, 2018, to August 13, 2018.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted at a 20 percent rating effective from February 7, 2021. The Veteran was previously denied service connection for PTSD and a sleeping disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and left knee chondromalacia patella, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from September 28, 2009. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain additional medical records and worker's compensation records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's pelvic floor dysfunction is caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran asserts that her current right shoulder disability may be related to in-service heavy lifting and/or sexual assault during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back disability, right foot disability (including plantar warts), right knee disability, left knee disability, and left elbow disability. Service connection was granted for a coronal suture scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to his right ankle disability.

The appeal of the TMJ disability issue is dismissed.,A 20% rating, but no higher, for cervical degenerative disc disease from April 27, 2010 to September 9, 2020 is granted. A rating in excess of 20% for cervical degenerative disc disease from September 10, 2020 to February 4, 2021 and a rating in excess of 30% since February 5, 2021 are denied.,A 20% rating, but no higher, for lumbar degenerative disc disease from October 13, 2017 to December 13, 2020 is granted. A rating in excess of 40% since February 5, 2021 is denied.,A separate 10% rating, but no higher, for left knee degenerative joint disease based on recurrent lateral instability since April 27, 2010 is granted. A rating in excess of 10% for right upper extremity radiculopathy from April 27, 2010 to August 3, 2017 and a separate 20% rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy since August 4, 2017 are granted. A rating in excess of 10% for right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 27, 2010 to August 3, 2017 and a separate 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy since August 4, 2017 are denied. A 40% rating, but no higher, for right upper extremity radiculopathy from August 4, 2017 to February 4, 2021 is granted and a separate 30% rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy since August 4, 2017 is granted. A 20% rating, but no higher, for right lower extremity radiculopathy from August 4, 2017 to February 4, 2021 and a separate 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy since August 4, 2017 are granted. A rating in excess of 40% for right upper extremity radiculopathy since February 5, 2021 is denied and a rating in excess of 30% for left upper extremity radiculopathy since February 5, 2021 is denied.,A separate noncompensable rating, but no higher, for erectile dysfunction since April 27, 2010 is granted. A TDIU from April 27, 2010 through August 12, 2019 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ankle and right knee disabilities due to insufficient reasons or bases in the original decision. The case is returned to the Board for further review, including consideration of VA examination opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right knee disability, left knee disability, blood disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and allergies due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and medical opinions to determine the severity of his cervical spine disability, service connection for his knee disabilities, sleep apnea, cluster headaches, and acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD).