Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a rating of 60 percent as of April 13, 2022, for total left knee replacement. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 11, 2013 is remanded due to the possibility that he may be unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations, and the RO did not adequately document attempts to schedule these exams.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions, as well as a back condition. The claims are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and the possibility of additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD and TBI residuals has been denied. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, chronic depression and anxiety, and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including headaches, neck disorder, knee disorders, hip disorders, foot disorders, hypertension, heart disorder, stroke residuals, hiatal hernia, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia and remanded the case for a nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed left eye disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for increased rating of the right knee disability and service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The Board has also remanded cases regarding initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right hip disability is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of left knee patellofemoral syndrome and rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA medical examination to determine if he has current knee disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are granted service connection, but his left ankle and right heel disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding potential radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain outstanding medical records and for new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating, but no higher. The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for IVDS of the lumbar spine and service connection for right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, right upper extremity neuropathy, urinary dysfunction, asthma, and various knee and ankle disorders, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's knee conditions, including ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia patella and right knee osteoarthritis with pain on motion. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for painful motion of his left knee.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of increased evaluations for the Veteran's knees, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression), and TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development is completed.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee condition from July 1, 2021. The maximum schedular rating was assigned based on chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's uploader knee brace caused irreparable damage to his clothes, and the Board granted a clothing allowance for calendar year 2018.

The Veteran's left knee instability and limitation of flexion are now rated at 20% from April 14, 2022. His stress fracture of the left tibia remains rated at 10%. The appeal for higher ratings is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions began during his period of active service.