Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a right thigh scar, service connection for hearing loss, sebaceous cyst, cold exposure residuals and a right thigh injury have been dismissed. Service connection for capillary hemangioma, right knee disorder and urinary disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The restoration of the 50 percent disability rating for left knee patella subluxation is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and total left knee replacement, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination for each condition.

The Veteran's obesity claim is denied as it is not a disease or disability for VA compensation purposes.,Hypertension, prostatectomy residuals (claimed as prostate cancer), left knee disability, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right hip joint replacement is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The issue of an evaluation greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee prior to May 13, 2019 and service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle are both remanded.

The appeal for an increased rating for left knee injury with osteoarthritis is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination findings and the Veteran's assertion of knee instability. Additional examinations are needed, along with any relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the assigned ratings for the Veteran's right knee scar disability and his headache disability. The AOJ is instructed to clarify the rating for the right knee scar disability, obtain updated treatment records, and arrange for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely cause of any headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to submit an updated application form. The Board also remanded other issues related to increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's left knee surgical scar, specifically her pain and impact on walking.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings and TDIU due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied prior to March 17, 2017 due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. From March 17, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.,The Veteran is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate since November 22, 2017 due to his combined rating of 100 percent and other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for reductions in disability ratings for left ankle tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with limitation of flexion, and right knee degenerative changes have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw all her pending appeals.

The Veteran's left knee extension is rated at a non-compensable level due to limited range of motion.,Left knee instability was not shown prior to May 24, 2021. From that date onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for moderate instability and in excess of 30 percent for severe instability.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current right knee condition, and the claim for this issue is denied.,Similarly, there is no evidence of a current left knee condition, and the claim for this issue is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's periodic limb movement disorder, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, eye disability, back disability, or right knee disability began during active service.,The Board determined there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between any of these conditions and periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claims of cervical spine, right hip, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses.