Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left knee disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the prior VA examinations were inadequate and ordered a new examination. The Veteran's claims for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left knee strain associated with loss of use of bilateral feet disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted. However, the claims for service connection for back disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the theories of causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's left knee instability from April 1, 2014 to April 27, 2016 is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.,For the period June 1, 2017 to December 13, 2017, the Veteran's total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant an increase in this rating period.,From December 13, 2017, the Veteran's total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 60 percent rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various knee and wrist disabilities, which are currently under review.

The Board has dismissed all appeals, including the request for an increased rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, reopening of a previously denied claim for lumbar strain, TDIU prior to December 10, 2016, and increased ratings for cervical and right ankle strains. The Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the disability ratings and service connection for various conditions. The Board dismissed these claims as per the appellant's request.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left ankle, right knee, right hip, back, left knee, and left hip disabilities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 50% since March 1, 2020. The Board granted a higher rating of 60%, effective from March 1, 2020.

The appeal of a service connection claim for albuminuria is dismissed. The service connection claims for insomnia, tinnitus, anemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (diabetes), bilateral knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), plantar fasciitis, acquired psychiatric disability, female sexual arousal disorder, and tinea pedis are referred back to the Regional Office for appropriate development and adjudication.

The Veteran's left leg disability, characterized by limitation of flexion, is currently rated at 20 percent under DC 5260-5255 from February 18, 2008. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, left ankle disability, and left hamstring disability.,There was no evidence of a left knee or left ankle disability during service. The Veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions until decades after his discharge from active service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was found to have a limitation of extension to at least 15 degrees throughout the period on appeal, and he is now entitled to an initial disability rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for atrophy of the right testicle and left knee arthritis, finding that these conditions began during periods of INACDUTRA.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the current condition is not related to service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether it began during service and was related to noise exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus and that competent and credible lay evidence indicates it likely began on or around the time of in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prominent, tender tibial tubercles, bilateral knees, sarcoidosis, chronic urticaria, lower back injury, and frequent trouble sleeping are remanded due to missing VA treatment records. Additional development may be necessary including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a bilateral foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for left knee disability due to inadequate medical examinations. A new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's complaints of flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a lumbar condition have been denied as there is no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during or due to active service, and they are not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to conflicting evidence regarding whether his preexisting condition existed prior to service. The VA examiner found no medical documentation in service, but the Veteran testified about continuous symptoms since service and post-service treatment.