Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, left knee disability, lower back disability, bilateral shin splints, and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development, and they will be reviewed again by the VA Regional Office.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 100% from November 1, 2011 to February 1, 2012. From January 13, 2015 to November 5, 2015, and from March 1, 2016 to January 18, 2018, the Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60%. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder was rated at 30% prior to August 9, 2010. From August 9, 2010, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 40%. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% prior to July 13, 2010 and at 40% thereafter. The Veteran's right humerus condition, residuals of a right shoulder dislocation with degenerative arthritis (DA), and bilateral knee conditions were all rated at 20%. SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral foot, and left knee conditions. However, these claims are still remanded as new VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, and lower back condition due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, but the right foot disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, but remanded the claims for right foot and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent since August 1, 2022. The Board granted a partial increase to the maximum schedular rating for this period and remanded issues regarding instability and painful motion/degenerative changes.

The Veteran's service-connected internal derangement of the medial meniscus of the right knee is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting moderate impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The issues include back, neck, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for left knee and headache claims before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability rendered him unable to work in physical labor or sedentary environments, leading the Board to grant a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis as of August 10, 2011.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking the appellant’s current diagnoses of right and left shoulder strains, right and left knee osteoarthritis, and right and left foot degenerative arthritis and heel spurs to her military service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities and hemorrhoids were evaluated, with the knee conditions rated as 10% for limitation of extension and instability, and the hemorrhoids rated at 20%. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings. Service connection was remanded for low back and ankle disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee joint osteoarthritis, as well as for any additional pertinent records. The earlier effective date issue is not addressed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's current left knee strain, right knee degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's neck disability is denied as not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition, head injury, left knee strain, and right ankle strain have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle strain has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar strain has also been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU since February 16, 2011. His combined rating of 80% effectively grants his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee limited flexion and for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for left knee limited extension due to insufficient evidence in the October 2021 VA examination report.