Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right foot, low back, and right knee disorders due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher. The rating for limitation of flexion remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disorders, as well as his left and right ankle disorders, are granted with a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and housebound rate for SMC.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the RO did not substantially comply with the December 2020 remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and back disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the aggravation of knee disabilities by service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, right knee disability, gout, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding records and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an updated medical opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's right knee meniscectomy residuals with arthritis and seizure disorder have been granted, but the ratings are limited. The right knee condition is rated at 20% prior to April 15, 2013, and 60% since January 3, 2014. The seizure disorder has a rating of 80% prior to December 18, 2012, and 40% from December 18, 2012 to January 3, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee disability, flat feet, and left foot and hip conditions due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for drug abuse is denied. The Board has remanded the cases regarding left knee disability, left hand/fingers disabilities, and scars.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and patellofemoral pain syndrome of each knee, with a rating of 10 percent each. The decision is based on the merits and not due to any presumption or new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, ED, right knee disability, neck disability, upper back disability, and low back disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to procedural defects in the submission of appeal forms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a scar on the left lower extremity as a residual of a tibial/shin laceration is granted. The claims for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during active service and granted.,His bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the right knee are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee DJD, status post TKR, as secondary to his service-connected right knee DJD, status post TKR. Additionally, the Board has also granted service connection for a painful surgical scar from the left knee surgery.

The Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to his military service.