Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or as due to housebound status is remanded due to unclear current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected conditions on her daily activities and whether she can leave her home.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is not service-connected, and his TDIU claim is granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him totally disabled, thus leaving no question of law or fact to decide regarding the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include unspecified depressive disorder and panic disorder, is related to service. Service connection for a knee condition, arthritis, hypertension, and dermatophytosis of the groin is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating from 10% to noncompensable for left knee instability was proper. Additionally, a separate rating of 10% for left knee meniscal disability is granted up until January 2021.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and right knee disability, as well as a TDIU prior to December 29, 2020, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain, finding that giving the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, his current diagnoses stem from in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation and to obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The right and left knees were evaluated separately, with specific ratings assigned for each issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and secondary service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's low back disorder, as well as for his left and right knee disorders which are considered secondary to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in October 2016 and May 2018 are inadequate for rating purposes. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded to obtain new evaluations, including a retrospective opinion based on the Veteran's reports of flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, migraine headaches, left upper extremity (LUE) condition, right upper extremity (RUE) condition, and migraines headaches have been granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee condition, cervical spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and upper extremity radiculopathy was granted. However, the claims were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain and right knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses stem from his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional information and records, specifically a completed VA Form 21-8940 application for TDIU and SSA disability records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and left ankle condition due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The claims are now pending for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they are not manifested by flexion limited to at least 30 degrees, extension limited to at least 10 degrees, or ankylosis. The current range of motion studies have considered the Veteran's complaints and provided information on instability and subluxation.