Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that the Veteran undergo VA examinations for his bilateral foot, thigh, knee, elbow, eye, skin, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in December 2020 did not comply with the previous remand directives and requires another examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's employment status and history since December 2008, including any part-time employment. The AOJ will request updated information from the Veteran and his employers.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various disabilities as both the appellant and his authorized representative requested a withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran, through her authorized representative, requested withdrawal of all issues related to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee pain, and left knee pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its decision regarding TDIU, specifically addressing whether the Veteran is capable of sedentary work.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a cholecystectomy and increased ratings for right and left knee strains. The issues regarding the right and left knee instability were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100%, combined. He does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for another VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected back, left and right knee disabilities. The examiner should consider the Veteran's reports of symptoms and provide opinions regarding range of motion loss due to flare-ups and pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate reasons or bases in the November 2021 decision. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected bilateral peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent them from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 5, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for her bilateral knee and hip conditions are remanded due to conflicting factual basis on the severity of her symptoms, requiring a new VA examination. For service connection, an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether her bilateral hip conditions are proximately caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

An initial 50 percent rating for disabilities of the left and right feet, effective January 8, 2001, is granted.,An initial, separate 20 percent rating for right knee disability based on frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion, effective January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is granted.,An initial, separate, minimum 10 percent rating for right knee disability based on instability, effective January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is granted.,Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability based on limitation of flexion, from January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is remanded.,Entitlement to an initial, separate, rating in excess of 10 percent rating for a right knee disability based on instability, effective January 8, 2001, to September 29, 2014, is remanded.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for a right knee disability from November 1, 2015, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his eye disabilities, cervical spine disability, knee disabilities, and radiculopathy. The issues of service connection and initial ratings are being addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety before the decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increase in her left knee disability evaluation and TDIU due to incomplete medical records from Emory Ortho.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to secondary service connection. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee arthralgia as secondary to his service-connected Hodgkin's disease, finding that there is a link between the chemotherapy he received and the development of joint pain.