Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2019 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the VA Regional Office failing to obtain his Social Security Administration records prior to issuing its December 8, 2020 decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder and knee disorders due to service connection, as well as his TDIU claim. The remand requires a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current shoulder and knee disabilities are aggravated by his right ankle disability or related to vaccinations in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and service connection claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and limitation of extension of the left and right knee is not warranted.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. The Board found new and relevant evidence to support these claims.,Service connection has also been established for left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with joint osteoarthritis, finding that his current disability is related to his in-service duties as a medical laboratory technician.

The Veteran's right knee disability following a total knee replacement has been rated at 30 percent since April 1, 2020. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and a need for further development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, back disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and lack of consideration of the full appeal period. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his employment history.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection for IBS was not granted, while the Veteran's left hand arthritis, long finger arthritis, thumb arthritis, strictureplasty scar, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella all remained at noncompensable levels.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as for hip disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, right knee arthritis, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2012.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and pain, but has remanded the issue due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is denied as not incurred or aggravated by service, with the Board finding that any current condition is more likely due to natural aging and wear and tear rather than in-service injury.

The Veteran's left knee instability rating is restored to 20 percent, effective August 1, 2017. The right knee and left knee status post meniscal repair cases are remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection for various disabilities can be decided. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left foot neurological, right foot neurological, left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, including as secondary to his right knee patellar chondritis, is reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.