Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, bilateral upper extremities, and PTSD have been dismissed.,Service connection for right knee disorder and left knee disorder (secondary to right leg condition with radiculopathy) has been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at a maximum of 30 percent for limitation of extension since January 22, 2021.,A separate rating of 10 percent has been granted for the flexion limitation of motion from January 15, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no probative evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity of these conditions. The VA examiner concluded that any current bilateral knee strains are not etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, based on painful motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee strain with instability prior to October 16, 2017 was granted. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for the Veteran's left knee meniscal tear as of October 16, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability from September 1, 2018 onward was denied. The Board found that the current assigned rating of 30% adequately compensates him for his pain with limited motion and functional impairment.

The Veteran's prostate cancer and its residuals are granted service connection, while the issues regarding increased ratings for his knees remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and limitation of motion, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the criteria provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and a need for new evidence, including medical records and an examination of the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated as noncompensable prior to August 12, 2019, and evaluated as 10 percent disabled thereafter. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee condition, UTIs, and an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims include service connection for various arthritic conditions and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder (heel), left ankle disorder (heel), and right knee disorder. Additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a delay in receiving the September 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran and his representative are given an opportunity to respond before the appeal is recertified.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and ratings in excess of the assigned percentages for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, arthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, PTSD, CAD, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's neck and knee conditions due to his military service, including as a parachutist. The case is being remanded for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to new evidence added after an August 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.