Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral knee PFS and instability were granted a 20 percent rating, effective from May 14, 2008, to the date of total knee replacements.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate discussion of evidence regarding qualifying periods of active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee enthesopathy, right shoulder rotator cuff injury, hernia, gastroesophageal disease (GERD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, and the right knee disability is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status from March 1, 2021 was denied as he does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted a separate 20 percent rating for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and swelling. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia was dismissed. The claims of service connection for left and right ankle conditions, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, obesity, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, eating disorder, and sleeping disturbances), right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip pain, left hip pain, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as there were no competent opinions linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his right and left hip disorders, are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions.,The lumbar spine DDD and thoracic spine fracture claims are also being remanded for a more complete evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The VA granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, DEA benefits, and denied SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of motion and instability have not met the criteria for higher disability ratings, with the current rating of 30 percent for limitation of motion and 20 percent for instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand have been addressed. The AOJ is directed to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his right knee, lumbar spine, sciatic radiculopathy, and femoral radiculopathy.,The Veteran's TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, right leg, and right foot disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU due to new evidence added since the December 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 30 percent from January 7, 2020.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for the left knee instability is denied.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was granted a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, but the request for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for extension was denied.

The Board denied service connection for iliotibial band friction syndrome, left knee condition, right knee condition, and left shoulder condition as there is no current disability found.,There was no evidence of a chronic condition resulting from the in-service injuries.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, eye condition, and left knee condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for Bell's palsy and left knee disorders due to new evidence received. The appeals are now remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The right knee disability issue has been dismissed as moot, and the right and left ankle disabilities are remanded.