Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to procedural issues, lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and the need for new examinations. The claims are not currently before the Board for adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with tendonitis and meniscal tear prior to February 2, 2018 was denied. From February 2, 2018 onwards, the claim for a higher rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with tendonitis status post arthroscopy was also denied.

The Veteran's arthritis, status post fracture proximal phalanx of the right ring finger, results in pain, weakness and limitation of motion. He is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating.,Neurological residuals of status post fracture of the proximal phalanx of the right ring finger have been manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and left knee disability, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain a new VA examination for the right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for left knee disability from March 1, 2018 is denied. A separate 20% disability rating for left knee lateral instability is granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on and after August 1, 2022, due to his service-connected disabilities including left knee total replacement, major depressive disorder, right and left hip strains, tinnitus, and other related conditions. The decision is based on the combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 60 percent since November 1, 2015. The Board has ordered remand for further evaluation of the issues related to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset and relationship to active service.

An effective date of September 13, 2010 for a 20 percent rating for residuals of a left knee meniscectomy (left knee instability) is granted. A rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee instability is denied. From September 13, 2010 but no earlier, a 10 percent rating for left knee range of motion is granted; subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits. A rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee range of motion is denied. From September 13, 2010 but no earlier, a separate 20 percent rating for frequent episodes of left knee pain, locking, and effusion into the joint is granted; subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits. From September 13, 2010 but no earlier, a 10 percent rating for the left knee meniscectomy scar is granted; subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are due to his active service and related conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and a left knee condition due to duty-related injuries during active military service. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records, including those from her treatment at Torii Station in Okinawa, Japan.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 26, 2015 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities causing occupational impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, and sinus conditions. Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's loss of sense of smell as secondary to his sinus condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee condition, finding that no additional disability was shown and that the fall did not cause an additional disability.

The Veteran's right hip disorder, genitourinary disorder other than erectile dysfunction (epididymo-orchitis), nasal disorder, and several musculoskeletal conditions are remanded for further development.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is being remanded due to insufficient evidence linking them to service exposure or service-connected disabilities. Further examination and opinion may be necessary under recent changes in law related to toxic exposure claims.

The Board has already denied the claims for increased ratings in a previous decision, and thus these appeals are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee and right hip disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence, as well as failure to attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been granted an increased rating of 30 percent effective April 23, 2019.,Increased ratings have also been granted for the Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities at a 30 percent rating effective April 23, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a disability of the cervical spine is granted. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his duties as a KC-135 refueling boom operator during his military service.