Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, limitation of flexion, is now rated at 20 percent effective September 23, 2021. The rating for chondromalacia of the left knee remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is directly related to service, and his low back disorder is presumed due to chronicity and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the current diagnoses and etiology of the Veteran's claimed heart disorder and lung disorders (claimed as chest infections, to include pneumonia and bronchitis).

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability due to incomplete records and requests for additional private treatment records from Dr. J.S.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and right elbow disorders are at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate range of motion testing and retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee meniscus tear status post repair is granted. The appeal for service connection for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, esophageal disability (GERD and hiatal hernia), residuals of a right fifth metacarpal contusion, and left ear hearing loss are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on functional loss due to pain or other factors, as well as lack of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, or lateral instability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940, which includes his work history and reasons for unemployment. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity to complete this form.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding pre-service conditions and aggravation during service. The Veteran's right knee condition is not service connected, but his left knee disorder may be secondary to a right knee disorder.

The Board has restored the previous ratings for right knee conditions and denied higher ratings. The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10%, while his right knee instability remains at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it arose in service or is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding them for additional development to obtain medical opinions and verify stressors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination, potential unemployability, and worsening of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the effective date being January 1, 2015.,Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 24, 2011 is granted. The effective date for TDIU is January 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee strain disability is related to service, resolving doubt in his favor and granting service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet are service-connected. The left knee condition is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, and the Board is dismissing the appeal due to lack of pending issues.