Knee decisions — 2023

A 20 percent rating for the degenerative joint disease of the left knee (left knee disability) based on episodes of locking and pain is granted effective October 1, 2008. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to August 30, 2010, remains remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees have been granted. The claim for an increased evaluation for his umbilical hernia has also been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of follow-up requests for records from Dr. Raul and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorders. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee disorders are directly related to military service, or if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee, bilateral foot, lumbar spine and/or left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the March 2023 VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for meniscus tear and noncompensable for scarring. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee, cervical spine, hypertension, left elbow, headache, and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete factual premises in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating personal health-care services provided on a daily basis by a person who is licensed to provide such services. The Board has granted the increased SMC (r)(2) based on this need.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the right knee disability claim due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current claims are pending.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee conditions due to outstanding records, including SSA disability determinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension due to new evidence received since June 2016. The ankle and knee disability claims are also being remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate opinions from a March 2018 VA examiner. The Veteran's right knee disability and ED are being reviewed, as well as his entitlement to SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance prior to April 27, 2021.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to a TDIU and SMC based on housebound status for the periods December 1, 2009, to September 7, 2010, and December 1, 2010, to May 16, 2011. The Veteran is denied entitlement to SMC based on housebound status for the period September 8, 2010, to September 14, 2010.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis as secondary to his service-connected left and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, left knee, and back disabilities are granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, bilateral shoulder disabilities, respiratory disability, right ankle disability, neck disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and pelvis disability are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion and granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability. A compensable rating for the surgical scar associated with his left knee arthritis was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.