Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the right and left knees were denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,Service connection was granted for diverticulitis, but service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and low back disorder was denied.

The Veteran's right knee condition, including DJD and instability, was granted an increased rating of 20 percent prior to August 18, 2020. From October 1, 2021, the Veteran is rated at 30 percent for his right knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2006 to March 29, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including limited/painful motion and instability, have been granted increased ratings since March 10, 2016. The right and left knees each received separate 20 percent ratings for instability, effective March 10, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to additional evidence received since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's preexisting right knee and left foot conditions were aggravated during service, leading to the grant of service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lower back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, left wrist disability, and nephrolithiasis are being remanded due to the need for additional VA opinions regarding her right and left knee disorders. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to November 1, 2016, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disorder, and a separate disability rating for right knee instability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inadequate opinions in the previous examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to address these issues.

The Board has found that further development is necessary and the claims are being remanded for consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from February 1, 2007 to February 22, 2010. Therefore, a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran is granted increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, with the specific ratings being a 30% rating for limited flexion of the left knee due to degenerative arthritis, a 10% rating for limited extension of the left knee, and a 20% rating for instability of the left knee prior to December 27, 2022. The Veteran's meniscal tear is rated as 20% from December 27, 2022.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting findings and insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions, including pes planus and hammer toe, are unclear from the records provided. His left knee condition is also unclear but may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear employment status and needs clarification regarding the Veteran's current and past work history.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's PTSD alone rendered him unemployable.