Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal on the issue of a compensable disability rating for left fourth ring finger metacarpal fracture residuals with open reduction and internal fixation has been dismissed. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since June 27, 2008. The Board finds that the appropriate effective date for the award of extraschedular TDIU is June 27, 2008.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and headaches, but has found that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty, considering his service-related activities and post-service history.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for tricompartmental degenerative arthropathy, status postoperative (S/P) total right knee replacement with postoperative arthrofibrosis S/P arthroscopic debridement has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lung impairment, left knee instability, and right knee instability have been granted service connection. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his left knee flexion and extension issues.

The Veteran's right knee replacement is granted with a rating of 60 percent effective October 1, 2011.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected back condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve the anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, nor do they cause him to be permanently bedridden or render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left leg disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection in multiple conditions have been granted. The effective dates are not specified, and the ratings assigned are also not provided.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various disabilities and a claim of ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and left hip strain, as well as for increased ratings for PTSD prior to August 11, 2016 and from that date onward, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.,The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, attributing it to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back disability, residuals of a left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's jaw, elbow, hand, hip, knee, and shoulder disorders are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his OSA.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability with degenerative arthritis, right shoulder disability with degenerative arthritis and labral tear and tendinopathy, and right knee disability with degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability remains pending.

The Board determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left ankle disorder, neck disorder, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, left-sided neurological disorder, left shoulder disorder, left arm disorder, right arm disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, right leg disorder, and back disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right elbow, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during active duty or related to in-service injuries.,Service connection was also denied for left hip, right hip, right knee, and left foot disabilities due to lack of a causal relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and personal trauma is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder is denied.