Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and knee conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 20, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The claims for service connection for hypertension, right flat foot, left flat foot, lower back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders have been reopened. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has also been reopened.,However, the claims for service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae (also claimed as dermatology), residuals of chicken pox, and pneumonia remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 11, 2014. Therefore, an extraschedular TDIU is granted from August 11, 2014 to September 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating consideration. The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a head injury was withdrawn, and the maximum schedular disability rating for his left knee replacement is maintained. Issues regarding increased ratings for right knee disability, shortening of the left leg, right shoulder recurrent dislocation, and facial scars are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and leg disabilities due to their secondary nature to bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's current pes planus disability is related to service.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hip, bilateral shoulder, eczema, athlete's foot, major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder are dismissed. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder on a secondary basis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disorder should be remanded to allow for proper procedural steps.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder, specifically whether it is related to service-connected disabilities or obesity.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is already in receipt of the highest rating available for her left knee instability, flexion, and extension issues.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral hernias have been dismissed. The previously denied claims of service connection for DJD of the thoracic/lumbar spine, bilateral knees, prostatitis, and GERD have been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for DJD of the thoracic/lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and whether it is related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to non-compliance with a previous remand. A TERA examination is required for GERD, skin rash, and hypertension as they may be related to toxic exposure risk activities during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for dry eye syndrome was denied. Service connection for abdominal pain, right hip and knee disabilities, and peripheral neuropathy or radiculopathy of the upper extremities were granted. The issues of service connection for right hip and knee disabilities and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active duty service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral foot strain disability, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee pain as secondary to a service-connected left lumbosacral radiculopathy, but denied service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence supporting its onset or causation in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior directives.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia, neck cervical stenosis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, anxiety and insomnia). The Veteran's headaches and swallowing disabilities are remanded for further examination.