Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for chronic right knee strain with bursitis and right knee instability are pending. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability, TDIU, and non-service-connected pension benefits prior to July 28, 2010.

The Veteran's right knee recurrent subluxation and instability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 4, 2014. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete consideration of relevant facts, including in-service wear and tear on knees during active duty and post-service statements indicating ongoing pain. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. However, the issue remains remanded as further medical opinion is needed regarding whether the right knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's right TKR is rated at 60 percent from August 1, 2018. The claim for a higher rating remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to November 26, 2021. From that date, the Veteran's PTSD/MDD alone qualifies for a grant of TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, reopening the previously denied claim. The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU. Additionally, his need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been established, leading to a grant of SMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no increase in severity during service and rejecting the Veteran's assertion of aggravation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to October 12, 2013 prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right shoulder labral repair and left knee disability resulting in limitation of flexion are both granted with specific ratings. The rating for the left knee instability is also granted, but only up to September 20, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding the September 2022 examination findings, specifically concerning whether range of motion during flare-ups and repeated use over time differs from the previous data.

The Veteran's right elbow osteoarthritis with bursitis is currently rated at 10% for painful limitation of extension and a separate 10% rating since September 14, 2020, for painful limitation of flexion. The left knee disability remains remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination in determining if his pre-existing disability was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to higher disability ratings for right and left knee strains due to insufficient evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service. The claim for service connection for left shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, and his claims for bilateral knee disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia with hypermobile patella and prepatellar fusion, is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee disability with painful motion and limited extension is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include neck injury, right knee injury, urinary incontinence, alopecia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).