Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his active military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is rated at 70 percent from June 21, 2017.,Right knee instability is granted at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability and/or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for left knee arthritis with limitation of motion and instability was denied. A separate rating of 10 percent for the status post partial medial meniscectomy was granted, but his claim for a higher rating for instability beginning February 7, 2021, remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and musculoskeletal conditions, have precluded her from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the entirety of the appeal period. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to clarify whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is now rated at 30 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The rating for left knee locking, pain and effusion prior to July 15, 2004, remains remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of locking episodes during that time frame. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to September 24, 2014, is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 22, 2021.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted. His obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric conditions. Right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, and right knee meniscal tear are all granted. Left knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain are granted. Low back disabilities are granted. The Veteran's lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. His bilateral plantar fasciitis rating from December 3, 2019, is increased to 50%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, lymphoma, and skin cancer.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his left knee condition. A supplemental examiner is needed to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to the assigned effective dates. The cases have been REMANDED for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle due to inadequate medical opinions. The SMC claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various orthopedic conditions and hypertension. The remand is due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for new examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the examination reports. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted, with the disability being found to be related to service. The decision also reopened the claim due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to inadequate examination and further review is needed.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 23, 2006 for the assignment of a 20% disability rating for the right knee disability. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.