Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, knee arthritis, tinnitus, and various nerve entrapments, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded all other issues on appeal due to the need for additional development of the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and left knee strain are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and any private medical records from her.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that her current right knee disabilities were not shown as chronic in service and are not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability, including instability and flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination with a different examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service injury are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee and lower back disabilities. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in the Veteran's work history and earnings, requiring further development to clarify these matters.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee limitations of extension are granted, with a rating of 10 percent each.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and a right ankle disability.,Service connection is remanded for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10% disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted, and the claim for service connection for OSA remains remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including blindness, glaucoma, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder pain, elbow and wrist swelling, toe numbness, leg numbness, jaw joint pain, hip joint swelling, knee and ankle pain, bilateral pes planus, foot bunions, rib fracture discomfort, hand weakness, left hand swelling, tonsillitis, dizzy spells, fatigue, pharyngitis, allergy disorder, breathing disorder, sleep apnea, heart condition, ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal problems, GERD, kidney disorder, lipoma, obesity, arm numbness and pain, and finger numbness. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's TBI claim is also denied as there was no in-service head injury or related condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of severe limitation of motion.,For his right knee disability prior to October 1, 2018 (excluding a temporary total evaluation from August 28, 2017, to September 30, 2018), the Veteran's disability rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 60 percent effective October 1, 2018 and remains at that level. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating based on evidence of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 50% rating for limitation of extension starting from June 3, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from 2004 to the present. The Veteran's skin condition is granted service connection, but his right knee disability remains in dispute.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's kidney condition and right knee disability, as well as scheduling a VA examination for his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, but the left knee disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's left knee DJD (flexion) and limitation of extension are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, with no further increase in evaluation possible based on the objective test results provided.,The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the highest rating available for this condition. The claim is remanded as new evidence may warrant a higher rating.,A separate 20 percent evaluation has been granted for dislocated cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint, based on the Veteran's symptoms and medical history.,The right knee sprain and right shoulder stretched ligaments/torn tendons s/p surgery claims are also remanded as new evidence may warrant a different outcome.