Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a rating of 20 percent since July 2, 2015 for patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis. The previous ratings were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for left total knee replacement residuals is granted, effective May 10, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his left knee disability, specifically addressing functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new examination of his left knee disability due to functional loss caused by flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new examination of his left knee disability due to functional loss caused by flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his left knee disability, specifically addressing functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new examination of his left knee disability due to functional loss caused by flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as for a thoracolumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period from March 18, 2006, to November 3, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding her ratings for left knee chondromalacia patella and instability due to her withdrawal of the appeal prior to the decision being made.

The Board has again remanded the claims for left knee disability, eczema, low back/tailbone disability, and headaches due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their onset and relationship to service. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related or attributable to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities has been denied. The right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent, and the left knee disabilities have been recharacterized with separate ratings for arthritis, instability, and meniscus tear.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars are not unstable or painful, and have no other disabling effects. Therefore, a compensable rating is denied.,Right hand disability: The Veteran's right hand disabilities are related to his service-connected cervical spine injury. Further examination is needed to determine the severity of these conditions and their impact on function.,Right wrist strain: Right wrist strain requires an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, but further examination is needed to assess the extent of symptoms and functional impairment.,Right knee disability: The Veteran's right knee disabilities require a rating in excess of 10 percent. However, the severity and frequency of his meniscal tear need to be assessed by a VA examiner.,Left knee patellar tendonitis and strain: An initial rating in excess of 10 percent is required for left knee disability, but further examination is needed to assess symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion regarding direct service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is not substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The matter is therefore being returned to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective from October 25, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether it is related to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee sprain has been granted. The claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a missed VA examination, and also because of an inextricably intertwined claim for TDIU.