Knee decisions — 2022

The appeals for increased evaluations of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 40 percent since March 28, 2022. The claim for a higher rating based on instability and limitation of motion was granted. Service connection for the left knee disorder secondary to the service-connected right knee disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, low back, acquired psychiatric disorder (e.g., PTSD, Anxiety, Depression), GERD, hemorrhoids, hypertension, left ankle, right ankle, left elbow, left shoulder, left wrist, right wrist, and sciatic nerve disorders affecting both lower extremities are all service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from January 27, 2013 to January 15, 2022. From January 15, 2022, the rating for PTSD is denied. The initial increased rating of 20 percent for left knee limitation of flexion is granted until January 15, 2022. After that date, a higher rating is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) of both knees due to failure to report for a necessary examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a skin disability due to failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in August 2022.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether he currently has a disability and its onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee, right knee, thoracic spine, and sinusitis disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left knee joint osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions concerning his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee tendonitis, with strain residuals, are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional loss from pain, swelling, and occasional locking.,The Veteran’s current ratings for his right and left knee disabilities do not reflect any limitation of motion more than noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding issues and requests for unredacted copies of examiners' credentials. The Veteran's representative has requested these documents, but no redacted versions have been provided.

The Veteran's appeal of TDIU is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or on account of being housebound, due to additional development needed.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic right groin problems, right big toe frostbite, left foot gout, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, tension headaches, and lumbar spine arthritis have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of left knee disorder and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous directives regarding scheduling a VA examination for mobility and transportation issues.

The Veteran is eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH) due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant (SHA) is dismissed as moot, given the award of SAH.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and instability were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of referral for extra-schedular evaluation.