Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities, on their own, did not result in unemployability. The evidence showed that the Veteran's inability to work was due to multiple nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete or missing service medical records. The Veteran is advised of alternative sources of evidence that may be submitted in lieu of the missing service medical records.

Prior to September 17, 2019, and from November 1, 2020, the Veteran received increased ratings for his left knee disorder.,From July 20, 2017, the Veteran received a higher rating for his right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee disability is denied. The RO has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a separate rating.,PTSD was dismissed as the full benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, left shoulder condition, and neck condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining an examination to determine if the Veteran's current left knee condition is related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetic nephropathy alone rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation from October 15, 2010, forward. The combined effects of his service-connected disabilities also precluded employment from August 2, 2004, to October 14, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 4, 2014. The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is directly related to service or caused by his now service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee osteoarthritis with medial meniscal tear residuals and total knee replacement residuals, and left knee osteoarthritis with medial meniscal tear residuals. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 13, 2012 is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an adjustment disorder, right knee and ankle disorders, eczema, bilateral arms, excessive sweating of the hands, a scar on the back of the mouth, and a hypertrophic scar of the right arm. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. For the period prior to March 30, 2021, his left knee conditions were rated as 10 percent for medial tear with osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patellofemoral compartment. From September 1, 2021 onwards, he received a TDIU based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression and other conditions. The effective date of this decision is August 28, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for constipation secondary to the cervical spine disability, are being remanded due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions arose during or as a result of his active service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of flexion, with no compensable ratings for extension. The appeal is remanded due to new evidence.,For the period prior to August 8, 2018, the Veteran's left knee disability was rated at a non-compensable level for limitation of extension. For the period from August 8, 2018 onwards, the rating remains non-compensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the timing of knee arthritis onset and whether any back disability is secondary to knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed due to the passage of time and allegations of worsening, as well as the need for Correia-compliant testing.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee conditions, finding that these conditions began during his active service and have continued since.