Knee decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to the lack of credible evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's assertions about experiencing injuries during her assault were not found to be credible.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were addressed. The Board found the correct effective date for service connection of right knee instability is September 24, 2010. For the period prior to March 3, 2022, a separate rating for painful motion with limited flexion was granted. From March 3, 2022, entitlement to higher ratings for the right knee strain remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, left ankle condition, low back condition, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a condition of the bilateral feet other than pes planus. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There was no medical opinion linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform sedentary employment despite his knee and hip conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for his right hip degenerative joint disease and bursitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and OSA. The appeals for asthma, rhinitis, right knee disorder, sinusitis, and right ankle disorder are dismissed as the benefits sought have already been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues with the November 2017 examiner's credentials and for obtaining VA treatment records from July 2020 to the present.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected left knee disability prior to July 2, 2018 was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.,For the period after July 2, 2018, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent was also denied. The maximum schedular rating of 60 percent has already been assigned following total knee replacement.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for effective dates prior to June 16, 2009, for lumbar strain and left knee disabilities as the Veteran opted into the AMA review system.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's left knee condition, requiring a new examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and COPD met the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 30, 2018. From October 11, 2020 to April 19, 2022, he had one service-connected disability (COPD) that was equivalent to a 100 percent rating and his remaining service-connected disabilities had a combined rating of 60 percent or greater, qualifying him for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of multiple conditions, including back disability, neck disability, shoulder disabilities, knee disabilities, calf disabilities, and ankle disabilities. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's knee conditions have been evaluated based on their current severity, and the evaluations are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 60 percent since December 22, 2016, and November 8, 2018 respectively. The Board has denied entitlement to higher disability ratings for these conditions.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, is denied. The claims for skin disorder and tingling in both hands are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claim for left knee condition is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and left kidney disability due to insufficient evidence in previous decisions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and left knee instability due to incomplete range of motion testing in weight-bearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disorders, as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The case is being returned for additional medical opinions addressing both direct and secondary theories of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to incomplete development of records.