Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's right knee status-post meniscus surgery and instability were not rated higher than the current 10 percent due to lack of limitation of motion or instability.,Right knee instability prior to February 10, 2020 was not rated higher than 10 percent as there was no objective evidence of moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for left knee, right knee, carpal tunnel of upper extremities, cervical spine, second toe of right foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The decision is based on the need for additional private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical examinations to assess his back and right knee disabilities due to limitations caused by Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations that comply with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for 69 training days in FY 2009 was proper and denied the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as his IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all remanded for further development.,Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to evaluate the current extent and severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran also needs an updated VA examination for his IVDS and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues and a need for further examination. The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus is being examined to determine if it was aggravated by his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show functional loss in extension greater than 10 degrees or flexion less than 60 degrees at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for all listed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee conditions have been denied as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations without showing of good cause.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee scars do not warrant a compensable rating. The left knee disorder claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic weight loss have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,His claim for a higher rating for posttraumatic headaches has also been remanded.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement with advanced osteoarthritis is rated at 60 percent for the period from April 1, 2019, to August 14, 2022. The appeal for a higher rating in excess of 60 percent for this condition is denied. A compensable disability rating (10%) is granted for his scar, status post total knee replacement associated with right total knee replacement with advanced osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of back injury, lumbar degenerative disc disease from November 6, 2006 to May 5, 2011 is granted. The right knee disability other than instability is rated at 20 percent from the same period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability, patellofemoral syndrome, and limited extension are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is currently rated at 60 percent for her service-connected left knee arthroplasty from March 1, 2022. The claims for increased ratings of patellofemoral syndrome and limited extension remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis and ACL tear, as well as left knee instability, due to a lack of examination addressing functional impairment during flare-ups and the impact on symptoms from VA doctors recommending knee replacement.

Service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral feet is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for reopening of a left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of her condition.