Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities, low back disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a new VA examination for his surgical scars, right knee.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating from January 19, 2011 to January 21, 2016. His left knee disability received a 20 percent initial rating from January 19, 2011 to July 5, 2019. From July 5, 2019, he was granted a 10 percent rating for his left knee due to limitation of motion and denied any higher rating for subluxation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including psychiatric disorders, hip disabilities, shoulder and knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and sleep apnea due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination for his service-connected left knee disability and to obtain private medical records for his increased rating claim. The matter is being remanded due to these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypothyroidism, sinusitis, and chondromalacia of the right knee are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs assistance with daily activities, but a VA examination is required to determine if this need is solely due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and extension due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as a separate rating for left knee instability. The Veteran's condition was found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a deviated septum but denied service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran is currently receiving a 10% rating for his service-connected right foot hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination as per previous Board directives.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right knee disability, characterized as a torn medial meniscus, was not rated higher than 10 percent. His back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the spine, also did not warrant an increase beyond 10 percent. Service connection was denied for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and sleep condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10% for instability and arthritis, but the rating was reduced to 0%. The noncompensable limitation of motion in the knee was also granted. The appeal is remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability have been denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in 2001.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various genitourinary and musculoskeletal disabilities, including prostate cancer, kidney disability, bladder disability, low back disability, right hip disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The remand requires obtaining additional medical opinions to address the etiology of these conditions, particularly regarding exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left knee disability is remanded due to inadequate medical examination and the need for a complete description of flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral leg radiculopathy and knee strain are less likely than not related to his active service, including heavy training activities like parachuting. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection. The cervical, right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 6, 2015. The Board has remanded several issues for further development.

The Board denied service connection for nerve damage, claimed as a nervous twitch, and left knee injury. The right knee injury claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a right leg joint condition, including osteoarthritis of the right knee and/or right hip. The matter must be returned for further evaluation.