Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the requirements for a VA examination, and thus the case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and an opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has not fully addressed the appellant's mental health issues and the relationship between his service, discharge, and VA benefits. The case is being remanded for a new opinion from the previous VA examiner to address these matters.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on painful noncompensable limitation of motion.,A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion to the right and left knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and non-VA treatment records, as well as a new VA examination to assess his right knee disabilities under both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for various joint disabilities and a TDIU claim. The main issues are whether the low back disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service or was aggravated by service, and if not, whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory distress, fibromyalgia, left knee disabilities, and multiple lipomas, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning August 13, 2004. The Board granted the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to March 22, 2010.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and clarification of his employability resulting from functional impairment associated with his service-connected disabilities, without regard to non-service-connected impairments.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, but denied his claims for bilateral hip and knee disabilities as secondary to his lower back disability.

The Veteran's right hip trochanteric bursitis is granted secondary to his service-connected degenerative changes L1-S1.,A 40 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for the Veteran's degenerative changes L1-S1 prior to March 19, 2021. The claim remains pending as higher ratings are still available.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his left knee extension and flexion limitations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes. His instability and symptomatic dislocated semilunar cartilage are rated appropriately.

The Veteran's right knee partial knee replacement and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were evaluated, with the right knee receiving a 30 percent rating from February 25, 2014. The appeal for increased ratings was denied.

The Veteran's claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee and right knee disabilities, and left ankle disability have been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA addendum opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's right knee condition has worsened since his total knee replacement, and the VA examination is inadequate. The Board finds a remand necessary to obtain updated treatment records and conduct another VA examination.

The Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as it was caused by an event not reasonably foreseeable resulting from VA-prescribed trazodone. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him helpless.

The Veteran's left knee condition and limitation of extension have been rated, but the appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, left knee disorder, left elbow disorder, and low back disorder due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, inactive duty for training, and FTTD.

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disability, including whether it is related to an in-service soccer injury. The Board also notes that a determination on the service connection for the right knee disability may be affected by the outcome of the right ankle disability claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The ratings for left knee limitation of flexion, right knee instability, and right knee limitation of flexion are denied. A separate initial rating of 10 percent for left knee instability is granted. The Veteran's right knee scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.