Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar was denied, and the claims for service connection of skin disability, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral chondromalacia is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee residuals, status post surgical repair of the medial meniscus.,The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee residuals, status post surgical repair of the medial meniscus.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent from March 1, 2020 for residuals of left TKR, finding that the Veteran's knee did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's bilateral eye blindness, resulting from a wrong implant during his April 2001 cataract surgery at VA, is not service-connected.,Compensation for the cracked rib and knee strains secondary to the bilateral eye blindness are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and left knee disorders due to a lack of medical nexus opinions addressing the cumulative impact injuries during service.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss and bipolar disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for a skin condition, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right foot skin condition is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his OSA, were granted service connection. The cardiovascular and respiratory conditions are remanded for further examination.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a 60 percent evaluation since September 1, 2016. The VA has granted increased ratings for his right knee disability and TDIU effective September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can tolerate sedentary or physical work environments that don't involve heavy lifting and prolonged sitting.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee instability and for a determination on his TDIU claim, which is inextricably intertwined with the left knee issues.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary aspergilloma, COPD, and lung cancer due to in-service exposure to asbestos and diesel exhaust/particulate matter. The right knee condition secondary to a service-connected left knee total replacement is dismissed.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's pulmonary conditions based on his in-service exposure to asbestos and diesel exhaust/particulate matter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mild right and left knee DJD, as well as separate 20 percent ratings for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right and left knees, were denied by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 1, 2017 due to her employment as a certified nurse assistant with VA. The Veteran worked until September 2017 and stopped working because she was no longer able to perform the physical and mental requirements of gainful activity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the entire period on appeal, as he meets the schedular criteria and his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for right knee meniscal tear status post meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis, and whether obesity was caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee joint osteoarthritis is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective May 25, 2021. The Veteran's right knee joint osteoarthritis is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective May 25, 2021.,The Veteran's left and right knee instability are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has restored a 20% disability rating for service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy effective December 11, 2018. The remaining claims are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for mononucleosis was granted. The low back and left knee disorders were denied.,Service connection for a low back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and any current condition is not shown to be related to service.