Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot hallux valgus. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or functional impairment for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is rated at 100 percent effective February 24, 2020.,A TDIU was granted beginning March 13, 2017. The issue of a TDIU for the period when the 100 percent rating is in effect is moot due to the grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound status.,Special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate is granted effective February 24, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The current ratings for his knee disabilities remain unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis disease status post arthroscopy, finding that it is related to an in-service injury during INACTDUTRA. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle strain, right and left knee strain, and right and left hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between the current disability and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with IVDS has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 25, 2019.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right and left knee tendonitis/tendinosis with patella tendon rupture status post surgical repair were denied prior to July 2, 2019. Ratings in excess of 10 percent thereafter were also denied. Separate noncompensable ratings for right and left knee limitation of flexion from August 23, 2023 were assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and reopening of his service connection claim are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral dry eye syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of his knee conditions from February 2011 forward.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an additional examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bone, muscle, or joint disabilities, as well as any hand, shoulder, arm, and hip diagnoses. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's reports of pain throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 19, 2019. The case is being remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee condition and bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine and knee conditions, prevented him from maintaining gainful employment effective from July 29, 2018.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and a meniscal tear, is rated at 20% for limitation of motion. Separate ratings are granted for limitation of extension (10%) and instability (20%).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent knee, lumbar spine, and hip disabilities due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development.