Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and arthritis, as well as left knee DJD limitation of flexion and instability, were denied. The Veteran was granted separate 10 percent ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's rating for mediolateral instability of the left knee was reduced from 10 percent to 0 percent, but this reduction is found to be improper due to lack of material improvement. The appeal is granted and the Veteran is entitled to restoration of his previous 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee instability was granted, but only up to a 20 percent disability rating. The Court remanded the case due to an incorrect denial of a higher rating.,Beginning January 17, 2020, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee instability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran received a separate 20 percent disability rating for his left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for a rating in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee with instability, service connection for lumbar spine condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with swelling and pain due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a right knee disability and denied her request for a higher rating for major depression, recurrent with PTSD and alcohol use. The appeal was remanded for further action on issues related to right eye disability and Nabothian cysts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders did not have their onset during service and are not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis resulting in limited flexion is granted a separate 30 percent rating, but no higher. The extension of temporary total evaluations for convalescence following surgeries are denied.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and his ability to work with his service-connected disabilities. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right hip disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee conditions, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left foot bunion and/or right foot bunionectomy residuals. The Veteran will need to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated him for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient medical evidence on record regarding the Veteran's psychiatric, right knee, and left elbow conditions.

The Veteran's right knee condition was granted a separate 20% disability rating for symptomatic meniscal condition prior to November 24, 2014.,An effective date of September 29, 2014 was granted for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The examiner must consider the impact of the Veteran's other conditions on his left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral knee condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, due to insufficient medical evidence on file.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and hip conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for right hand and left hand disorders.

The Veteran's left knee strain is granted service connection.,Effective September 24, 2015, the Veteran receives a 20% disability rating for her bilateral shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, and separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for limitation of extension and instability. A 20 percent rating is granted for episodes of locking, pain, and swelling.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, right knee disorder, and right hip disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there is no current disability meeting VA criteria for these conditions.,There are no indications of qualifying hearing loss or sleep apnea during service, and the persuasive weight of the evidence does not support a nexus between any of these conditions and military service.