Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence submitted since the June 2020 supplemental statement of the case. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right and left knee disability issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, with diabetic retinopathy and erectile dysfunction is rated at 60 percent. Separate compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction are not warranted. Increased ratings for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, right leg below the knee amputation (BKA), and peripheral neuropathy of both sciatic nerves are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for the service connection of his left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in a previous decision regarding the Veteran's right knee DJD. The case will be reviewed again with a new examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from December 10, 2021, was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gout including gouty arthritis, right knee disability, left wrist disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral flatfoot disability, and heart disability. The Board found that there is no medical evidence or opinion linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hysterectomy scar, service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right shin splints, and left shin splints have been remanded due to the submission of new VA treatment records. The AOJ will review these records and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking the current conditions to service, despite credible reports of in-service injuries. The VA opinions provided conflicting conclusions.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes are currently rated at 10 percent each, based on painful flexion. The Board denied higher ratings as the range of motion is not sufficient to warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted a 60 percent rating each, effective November 21, 2022.,Service connection for the left ankle disability has also been granted. The right eye injury and injury to the right side of the face were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression and anxiety), left knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral foot, neck, right knee, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several issues, including those related to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement, diabetes mellitus, unspecified depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee.,The Board also remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement from April 1, 2017, and service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2022 for limitation of extension. The rating is denied as the condition does not warrant a higher rating.,From April 2, 2022, the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a separate 20 percent rating for meniscal tear and a combined 30 percent rating for limitation of extension. The rating is denied as it does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with osteoarthritis and limitation of motion of the left knee was denied. However, he received an initial evaluation of 20 percent for instability of the left knee prior to July 21, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for a new examination to assess the Veteran's right knee disability, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of her right knee strain due to functional limitations during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it could significantly impact the decision on the right knee strain rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vision problems, right knee disability, and pes planus due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination or clarification.