Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lower back disability and associated radiculopathy, result in loss of use of the lower extremities. The Board grants financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and total knee replacement are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension and left knee condition was denied. The claim for diabetes with hyperglycemia with glycosuria is being remanded.,New evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes, but it remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI with an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder), right knee instability, left knee instability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle instability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with left neural foramina stenosis, right knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, left knee semilunar cartilage removal residuals, appendectomy scar residuals (right arm and face), spider bites residuals (right arm and face), a right knee scar, a left knee scar, and tension headaches, have necessitated the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for chronic right knee strain. The Veteran's current disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis status post replacement surgery.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors of the right and left upper extremities, as well as his impaired vision and knee disabilities remain denied. The evidence received since the previous decision is not new and relevant.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disorder, hypertension, low back disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy, right and left knee disorders, and bilateral foot disorder. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendinitis, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions have been rated at the minimum 10 percent level, as their symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the claims of service connection and evaluation for various conditions, including chronic right knee strain, acute cholecystitis, psoriatic arthritis, left knee disability (secondary to service-connected right knee disability), acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. These matters are being remanded.

The Veteran's essential tremor, claimed as a nervous disorder (hand twitching), is found to have its onset during his military service and granted service connection. The claims for low back strain, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and chronic headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities, as well as neuropathy have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for persistent depressive disorder, other specified stressor disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the claimed bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been denied. The current ratings are found to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 10% evaluation, effective from May 27, 2021. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted a 20% evaluation, effective from October 6, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. She also requires aid and attendance due to her service-connected conditions, resulting in SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the initial rating for left shoulder disability, service connection for low back disorder and arthritis, and a special monthly pension claim. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities and whether he needs aid and attendance.