Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left leg amputation and traumatic brain injury, meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing due to permanent total service-connected disability.

Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae is granted. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective October 16, 2009. Service connection for left foot and right knee disabilities secondary to service-connected residuals of a cold injury is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee DJD with chondromalacia patellae is rated at 40 percent since July 31, 2019. The Board remanded the case for further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in many cases, or an in-service event that is related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and right knee scar to their previous levels, effective July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, post-operative left knee injury, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining such employment.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to March 28, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate examination addressing the features and severity of the right knee disability from September 28, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding service records and missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for release of private medical records from Boston Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions, including arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The examiner is requested to provide a new opinion on whether the Veteran's current knee condition was incurred in or related to his time on active-duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for a right knee condition, including as secondary to service-connected left knee and/or bilateral flat feet.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence or incomplete evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee disability and low back disability for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The hearing loss case is also remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left hallux valgus, spine disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus, right foot bone spur, and right knee disorder due to inadequate consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. Additional development is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left knee conditions are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of new evidence.