Knee decisions — 2023

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 7305, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's superficial scar status post excision of left knee cyst is currently rated at the minimum allowable under Diagnostic Code 7804, as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran has another scar in his left lower extremity that is not painful or unstable.,The Veteran's residual scar of the left lower extremity due to a total knee replacement is currently rated at the minimum allowable under Diagnostic Code 7805, as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran has another scar in his left lower extremity that is not painful or unstable.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, characterized by painful motion and decreased range of motion but not instability or limitation to specific degrees, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the pending appeals in the AMA system. The AOJ must defer adjudication of the TDIU claim until all related appeals are resolved.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left knee disability due to incomplete VA evaluations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these evaluations are completed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, right knee disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new and material evidence submitted since the final denial in February 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a depressive disorder secondary to the now-service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The claims of service connection for sinusitis, headache disorder, allergic rhinitis, type II diabetes mellitus, polymyositis and inflammatory myopathy, back disability, and anxiety disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 8, 2022.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings for left knee strain with degenerative joint disease and left knee instability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's left knee disability, tinnitus, and right foot disability are granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The low back and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination.