Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement and degenerative joint disease are currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The rating for right knee instability is also granted at 10 percent from February 11, 2015 to February 7, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional development. The claims include low back disability, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, acquired psychiatric condition (major depressive disorder and PTSD), and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee flexion, extension, and dislocated semilunar cartilage were denied. The Veteran's limitation of flexion was rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period, while his limitation of extension was noncompensable. His dislocated semilunar cartilage condition was already rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including consideration of his claims for increased ratings and an effective date prior to May 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee arthritis, lateral instability, and limitation of extension due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of rating for right knee disability and service connection for left knee disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's ratings for migraines, left knee instability, right knee instability, limitation of left knee extension, and limitation of right knee extension are being remanded due to the need for new examinations. The rating for anxiety disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence and expert opinions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in the previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted for OSA, lung condition, left knee disability, residuals of head trauma, hypertension, GERD, or skin cancer.

The Veteran's diabetes and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 was dismissed as the appellant withdrew it during a hearing before the Board.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted in April 2020 and is considered moot due to the dismissal of the DIC claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records, lack of proper VA examinations, and need for further development regarding his National Guard service.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a rating of 20% prior to August 11, 2018 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. The Veteran's sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left knee disability status post total knee replacement was denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, post-operative medial meniscal repair and bilateral pes planus has been granted. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's left knee DJD with limitation of extension is granted, but the separate compensable rating for flexion and instability are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability, right knee scars, and spontaneous pneumothorax due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand, right-hand, and bilateral knee conditions. The decision also remanded the Veteran's claim for a left ankle condition due to conflicting medical opinions.