Knee decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for right wrist, right hand, and left shoulder conditions due to additional development being needed.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings and service connection, including due to the need for clarification regarding flare-ups and the presence of separate foot diagnoses. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability prior to November 22, 2010, and in excess of 30 percent from January 1, 2012, are remanded. The claim for TDIU prior to January 7, 2014, is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues related to erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disturbances, a disability characterized by elevated bilirubin, and higher ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee scar, and lumbar spine arthritis. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for further development, including obtaining additional STRs from Salerno, Afghanistan in 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee, right foot disability, and hypertension due to incomplete medical opinions and failure to consider lay statements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 19, 2009 did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential Gulf War exposure, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his symptoms are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities were denied over the entire appeal period.,A rating in excess of 10 percent was not granted for chondromalacia of the left knee, based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions due to inadequate previous examinations and failure to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his treatment during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Specifically, his right shoulder disability remains at a 40 percent rating, while left knee and TBI issues are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claims for skin condition, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted prior to August 10, 2022. The appeal regarding the lumbosacral strain (low back disability), left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee instability, and right knee instability issues remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left knee disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent disabling for total replacement from September 1, 2021. The appeal was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee DJD and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claim for service connection is pending, while the TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of cooperation from the Veteran and insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations for his sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, right arm disorder, low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate since August 10, 2017 due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. Prior to this date, SMC was denied as his other service-connected disabilities did not combine to reach a rating of 60 percent.