Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and a right knee disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The appeal regarding a higher rating for mental disability is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for lower back condition, left hip replacement, and bilateral knee replacements due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination opinions. The examiner is instructed to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his active duty activities and review records from his surgeon.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent for instability. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the flexion limitation does not meet the criteria for a greater rating under DCs 5260 or 5261.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a clear and unmistakable pre-existence of these conditions prior to service or during any period of active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the periods from January 9, 2013 to January 13, 2020, and from May 15, 2020. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right hip strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, PTSD, headache disorder, left ankle and knee disorders, and shoulder disorders. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back disorder, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a right hip condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and meniscus tear, as well as left knee arthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's combat service and his reported symptoms during and after service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on current range of motion and lack of other compensable conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease and a separate rating in excess of 20 percent for instability of the right knee due to concerns about the adequacy of the VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examination and development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted total disability due to individual unemployability on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis and lumbosacral sprain, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by these conditions. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition is granted. The Board finds that the evidence of record supports the finding that his diagnosed other trauma and stressor related disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, granting this appeal on a direct basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that it did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge and was not otherwise attributable to service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left ankle and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board also remanded several service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, forehead laceration, headaches, and right knee disability due to incomplete development of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a right ankle disorder, have been denied by the Board. The current assigned ratings are under Diagnostic Codes (DCs) that address limitation of motion.