Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for asthma has been dismissed. The claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability is reopened, but the claims for other conditions are still pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's left knee injury residuals with traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that there was not enough evidence to warrant a higher rating based on functional loss. The condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of total right knee replacement and granted a separate 20 percent rating for right knee recurrent locking and joint effusion. The initial compensable disability rating for residual scar, right knee status post total knee replacement is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left ankle disability and gastritis, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 5, 2003. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Board denied service connection for neck, low back, and bilateral knee conditions as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,No specific exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange) was mentioned.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive examination and consideration of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, cervical spine, and thoracic spine conditions have been granted. The claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, both as secondary to service-connected flat feet. The Veteran's claims were previously denied by the Board in July 2020 but were vacated by the Court due to an inadequate December 2019 VA examination.

The Board has restored a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's left knee disability from September 15, 2017. The case is remanded for further evaluations of the right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to the need for VA examination reports and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's sinusitis, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and painful joints are related to his military service. The Veteran also has muscle spasms, fibromyositis, a left wrist cyst, and a left hand cyst that are related to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions (right and left) and painful joints are related to his exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.

Your service connection claims for bilateral knee disabilities and a lumbar spine disability have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as your issues are no longer pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran is entitled to VA examinations to determine if she has any diagnosed conditions, and whether those conditions may be related to her military service.

Effective September 26, 2013, the Veteran was granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and its related disabilities including diabetic retinopathy, right below the knee amputation status post right foot transmetatarsal amputation (Lisfranc amputation), peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, and a scar from the amputation. Special monthly compensation was also awarded based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for right knee disability have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of hearing loss for VA purposes, and his right knee disability is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD), all related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, and whether PTSD is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for his right knee disorder is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a separate disability rating for instability of the right knee.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability throughout the appeal period and to determine if a separate rating for right knee removal or dislocation of meniscal cartilage is warranted. The issues are remanded due to inadequate prior examinations.