Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 1, 2020 due to unclear time period addressed in the VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from November 18, 2015 through January 24, 2017 due to his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol abuse.

The Board has granted a temporary total rating for the Veteran's partial right knee replacement from March 16, 2016 to March 16, 2017. A minimum rating of 30 percent is granted for the period beginning March 17, 2017. SMC based on housebound status is granted from March 16, 2016 to March 16, 2017. The Board has also remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected partial right knee replacement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, cognitive conditions, thrombocytopenia, tinnitus, hypertension, foot conditions, knee conditions, and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left-ear hearing loss and right-ear hearing loss have been granted. Claims for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and acquired mental disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, sinusitis, and sleep apnea are all granted as service-connected. The left knee disorder is linked to his service-connected right knee disability. Sinusitis is presumed due to exposure to fine particulate matter during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Sleep apnea is considered presumptive based on its manifestation within 10 years from separation and a confirmed diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and narcolepsy due to inadequate examination opinions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding earlier effective date of service connection for tinnitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and several hernia and knee disorders due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to be the proximate cause of his current left knee DJD, and he has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his right knee and right wrist disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and adequate opinions from an orthopedic specialist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The Veteran's STRs were silent for any knee issues, and his earliest documented knee condition was from 2006, over 17 years after separation.,The Board also denied the Veteran's request for an increased rating for right shoulder osteoarthritis and remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder and low back conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral leg amputations as secondary to diabetes. The claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of diabetes during active duty.

The Veteran's back and right hip disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service-connected knee disabilities.,The Veteran's right hip disability is also being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee conditions due to deficiencies in the examination record. Further development is needed, including additional medical opinions regarding the presence of a right knee ligament tear and the relationship between bilateral knee strains and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability due to the evidence being at least in equipoise that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for additional examinations to address service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patellae with tendonitis and instability is granted a non-initial increased rating of 30 percent from May 3, 2016. Other claims for increased ratings are denied.