Knee decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) as his combined schedular rating of 100% rendered the TDIU appeal moot. The Board also dismissed other issues related to increased ratings for PTSD, Crohn's Disease, and associated conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the last denial. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to his military service, but a VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability evaluation for scars, status post right knee meniscectomy was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of higher disability evaluations for right total knee replacement and TDIU.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's left knee disability, as the previous VA examination did not provide a clear rating for instability and subluxation.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple conditions including left and right shoulder tendonitis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left hip arthritis with subsequent replacement, right hip tendonitis, right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left and right ankle tendonitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the current ratings did not accurately reflect his service-connected lumbar spine and left knee conditions, but also noted that there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis during the relevant time periods.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran is also facing a TDIU claim that is being remanded as well.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right ankle disorder, and a left knee disorder due to inadequate examination opinions and lack of medical evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including increased ratings and a TDIU determination. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. On or after February 13, 2015, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, but complications are also considered. For his knees and spine disorders, a VA examination is required to determine their etiology and severity.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claims for left knee, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right knee disability has been granted. The appeal is granted in part, specifically regarding the issues of service connection for right knee condition and opioid use disorder secondary to PTSD with unspecified use disorder. These claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU prior to March 16, 2020 is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, including limitation of extension and flexion, is rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, left knee chondromalacia patella, and irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of service connection for a hip condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including for her PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left and right restless leg syndromes, low back disability, and right knee disability. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each since April 7, 2016. The current rating of 30 percent for the right shoulder is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder pain has been rated at 20 percent since April 7, 2016. The current rating of 20 percent is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee patellar femoral syndrome and left knee patellar femoral syndrome have both been rated at 10 percent each since February 6, 2008. The current ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee instability and left knee instability have both been rated at 10 percent each since February 6, 2008. The current ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and denied secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.