Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for sinusitis, post traumatic plantar tibial nerve damage (right), degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The issues include seeking earlier effective dates and higher ratings.

The Veteran's right knee strain status post surgery is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage resulting in frequent episodes of joint locking. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board found the Veteran did not provide good cause for missing these appointments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and missing scheduled appointments. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee condition was denied, as the evidence did not show malunion of the tibia and fibula with marked knee or ankle disability.,The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for his right leg length discrepancy was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left knee disability, specifically for the period prior to August 19, 2019, and since October 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 28, 2017 have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral conjunctivitis has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating percent for service-connected right thigh lipoma has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, left knee instability, and right knee osteoarthritis, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the etiology of any right knee disability and night sweats, as well as whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left knee scars was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids. The cases of a skin disorder, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of extension due to insufficient information regarding the severity and functional impairment throughout the appeal period.

Service connection for tinnitus, back impairment, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee impairment, and right knee impairment has been granted.,Service connection for diabetes and heart impairment has also been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Board has withdrawn the issue of service connection for a bilateral eye condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for left knee, bilateral foot, and hemorrhoids conditions secondary to service-connected disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The left knee disability issue requires further examination as the relationship to his right knee disability and other conditions is unclear.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, right foot plantar fasciitis, and sinusitis. The Veteran's right knee strain is found to be related to service, while her right foot plantar fasciitis and sinusitis are not. A remand is ordered for a VA examination of the Veteran's allergic rhinitis.

The Board granted service connection for fibromyalgia and low back disability, but dismissed the claim for left knee disability due to a full grant of benefits.

The Board found the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability prior to November 16, 2020.