Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to scheduling issues with VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that failure to cooperate by not attending the requested VA examination may result in an adverse determination.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right elbow pain, as well as right and left knee pain, based on objective indications of an undiagnosed illness due to service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,Service connection is also denied for a claimed eye disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased rating and service connection due to untimely filing of her substantive appeal.

The Veteran's right fifth finger fracture is rated as noncompensable prior to January 16, 2020, and since February 28, 2022. From January 16, 2020, to February 28, 2022, a 10 percent rating for the right fifth finger fracture is granted. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee strain are both remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for new evaluations.

The Veteran's bilateral knee instability is rated at 20 percent from April 13, 2012. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for shoulder impairments secondary to knee disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is remanded as there has been no medical opinion addressing the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and inconsistencies in her testimony regarding exposure during service. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the left knee disability and remanded the service connection claims. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The appeals for service connection for PTSD, right knee scars, left knee scars, and an earlier effective date for SMC due to housebound status are dismissed. The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye disorder is granted.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals concerning neck arthritis, bilateral hand tremors, bilateral knee disabilities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic headaches, right shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis, left shoulder bursitis (prior to March 18, 2015), knee arthritis, hand degenerative joint disease, ankle strains, and cervical osteoarthritis, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 22, 2017. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on this evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty.

The Veteran's left knee condition is granted a 20% rating prior to February 7, 2021, and denied for ratings in excess of 20%. The Veteran's limitation of flexion is also granted a 20% rating prior to August 1, 2022, and denied for ratings in excess. The Veteran's limitation of extension from August 1, 2022, is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left fibula fracture, finding that it was caused or aggravated by a fall due to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear and arthritis are being reviewed to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected right total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's right knee flexion was rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,TDIU from May 22, 2021 is moot due to the combined rating of 100 percent for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and meniscal tear, including a need for new medical opinions regarding functional impairment and whether the conditions are separate from her service-connected DJD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and meniscal tear of the right knee are remanded due to outstanding medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee sprains due to a need for further examination. The Veteran's reports about his symptoms will be considered, along with any medical reasons to accept or reject these reports.