Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, right and left knee conditions, sleep disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder. The Veteran was not provided with examinations as requested in the July 2022 and August 2022 correspondence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for right and left knee chondromalacia, as well as entitlement to increased ratings or TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's knees were rated at 10 percent since March 8, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee bursitis and instability was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection of his rectal injury is remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis and right knee spurring, with the case being remanded for further development regarding a separate rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for cold weather injury residuals of the hands is denied. The remaining issues have been remanded due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of left wrist ganglion cyst, left and right foot disabilities, bilateral shin splints, bilateral knee strain, and bilateral hip sprain due to lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation by service. The Veteran's other service connection claims are also remanded.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for limitation of extension and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, effective September 25, 2012. A 10 percent rating is also granted for mild right knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for right knee meniscectomy was denied, as the evidence did not show persistent instability or a need for assistive devices. The rating for limitation of flexion was also denied, as the evidence showed no more than 120 degrees of flexion. The rating for limitation of extension prior to December 11, 2017 was denied, and since then it was granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from February 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016. However, the Board denied TDIU for the period January 1, 2017 to May 16, 2018.

The veteran's appeals for TDIU prior to July 15, 2008 and service connection for right knee, bilateral wrist, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and actinic keratosis due to further development being needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tendinitis are rated at 30 percent from October 18, 1990 to July 14, 2021.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including status post reconstruction and degenerative disease, is rated at 20 percent for flexion limitation since January 15, 2019.,An effective date of October 11, 2012, has been granted for the increased rating of 20 percent for left knee status post reconstruction limitation of flexion.,The Veteran's meniscal tear is rated at 10 percent since November 13, 2017.,A separate 10 percent evaluation has been assigned for left knee extension limitation from November 13, 2017.,Left knee instability is separately evaluated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.,Left knee genu recurvatum is rated at 10 percent beginning December 21, 2021.,Painful left knee scars are rated at 10 percent.,An initial compensable rating of zero percent has been assigned for superficial left knee scars since December 21, 2021.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's migraine headaches and knee disabilities are still under review.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and instability, is rated at 20 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for slight right knee instability from September 3, 2015 to September 8, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU effective November 8, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back and foot disabilities.