Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee injury with osteoarthritis, finding that new and relevant evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. However, the Board also found that the weight of the evidence was against finding an in-service injury or chronic symptoms after service separation, leading to denial of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence since January 1, 2020 and SMC based on housebound criteria being met since January 2, 2020 is denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being reviewed, and an addendum opinion is needed from the examiner.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee DJD, finding that his preexisting condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and additional evidentiary development is required.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot conditions. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service events. The Veteran testified that he participated in rigorous training during service, but further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, a right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions addressing the theories of direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his right knee disability is also rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Issues related to increased ratings for post-operative residuals and degenerative joint disease of both knees are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 18, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions as there is no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability was evaluated at a 10 percent rating for the period prior to September 29, 2011. The Board found that her symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to limited range of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his left knee disability and to resolve conflicting medical evidence regarding service connection claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to submitting the VA Form 21-8940 indicating he was not interested in continuing his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of both knees had its onset during service and is related to his active-duty service, thus granting service connection for bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's back disability and related radiculopathy issues, as well as his right knee limitation of flexion and painful extension, were granted increased ratings. His left knee disability was denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records related to his left knee surgery and readjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression, was dismissed as the issue has been fully granted. The claims of service connection for a vestibular condition, including tinnitus and secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities; lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities; and right knee disability, secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities are remanded.

Service connection is granted for chondromalacia of the patella in the right knee.,Service connection is denied for a left knee disability, including as secondary to the right knee disability.