Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability due to incomplete development and unclear findings regarding atrophy.

Your appeals for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, a left knee condition, and headaches have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee. His left knee disabilities are also rated as per his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,A separate disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, has been granted for right lower extremity femoral nerve peripheral neuropathy prior to June 29, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient development of evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, ankle, and hamstring disabilities due to incomplete Reserve service medical records. The RO is instructed to verify all relevant periods of active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, request any missing medical and personnel records from the Veteran, and ensure all available Reserve service medical records are obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee problems, right knee problems, tinnitus, lung problems, and stomach issues. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been granted initial ratings of 30 percent since January 10, 2006. The conditions are rated as instability and subluxation with associated effusion and meniscus tear.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any diagnosed knee disabilities pre-existed service and are related to service. The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability will be further evaluated with a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip condition, left knee condition, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hip condition have been reopened. The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension (HTN) and chronic renal disease remains denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), tension headaches, recurrent tinnitus, and a lumbar spine disability has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 9, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was still employed at the time of his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 70 percent effective June 26, 2019.,Service connection for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's new and material evidence has reopened the claim, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted a 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee, and a 30 percent rating for patellofemoral syndrome with limitation of flexion from March 8, 2022. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as he is currently employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee meniscus tear and for a compensable rating for a right knee scar due to pending additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of additional evidence, including private treatment records from Dr. Taber.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot and joint disabilities, including as due to a service-connected left ankle disability. The evidence does not support an etiological link between these conditions and active service or any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance, specifically related to his service-connected disabilities other than schizophrenia.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for right knee total replacement, effective April 28, 2015. The claim for service connection of sleep apnea is remanded.