Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various ankle and knee conditions, as well as a shoulder strain post rotator cuff tear and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal in October 2023.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability is inadequate. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 28, 2023 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran contends he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions and submitted a private psychological assessment indicating he would be precluded from gainful employment without excessive accommodations.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right hand, left hand, right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, bilateral eye disorder (including cataracts), erectile dysfunction, vitamin deficiency, low blood pressure and sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for VR&E services as he has successfully maintained self-employment and does not have an employment handicap.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for popping, locking, and effusion. He also has a 10 percent rating for instability. The other issues are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims for other musculoskeletal disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy alone rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound status due to multiple separate disabilities rated at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent is not warranted. The Veteran's impairment of the knee (right) is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's back brace tends to wear and tear his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2020.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection and rating issues related to various body parts due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.,Service connection was withdrawn for left elbow, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, including physical training on cobblestone roads for six years and jumping from windows. The decision is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an adequate rationale regarding the onset of the condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his TDIU due to a finding that the January 2020 rating decision was not appealable.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board requires an addendum VA opinion on the right knee disability, including whether a superimposed injury occurred during service, and a VA examination for the right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reconsider the claim of service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee. The case is being remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and stomach hernia were denied. The Board found no current disabilities, as the evidence did not show any symptoms or diagnoses of these conditions since separation from service.,Service connection for anxiety was dismissed as moot due to a subsequent grant of service connection in a separate decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and left knee strain have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of total left knee arthroplasty was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding warranting a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.