Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The left knee strain is also granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for a psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for emphysema is remanded due to insufficient evidence of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is denied as he does not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee condition has been manifested by painful motion and restricted flexion to 125 degrees. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his loss of range of motion with pain is adequately considered in the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address direct and secondary service connection, including aggravation. The Veteran's left knee condition is related to active service or military service, but not due to exposure to cold weather. His bilateral hand condition is also related to active service or military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to potential issues with the diagnosis of Osgood Schlatter's disease and whether his current knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disabilities and varicose veins. The VA examiners did not address in-service complaints related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee DJD and service connection for LLE restless leg syndrome were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of chronic low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have been denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied as it was dependent on the nature of underlying service-connected disabilities including the back, radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10% rating from August 4, 2020 to November 21, 2022 for limitation of flexion. A separate 10% rating was granted for symptomatic semilunar cartilage removal of the right knee during this period. The Veteran's left knee disability received a 10% rating from January 31, 2020 to August 4, 2020 for limitation of extension and a separate 10% rating was granted for instability after August 4, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and requests for information regarding the qualifications of the examiner. The claims will be re-adjudicated after further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, as well as the initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee disabilities and TDIU prior to October 1, 2019 are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, and a TDIU claim due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disorders are being remanded to obtain additional VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for left knee arthritis and status post total left knee replacement, as well as service connection for sleep apnea due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right knee subluxation and degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the combined ratings already assigned to his service-connected disabilities met or exceeded the maximum rating for amputation of an extremity, preventing him from receiving a higher rating.