Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and unclear findings regarding his in-service fall. The issues include service connection for various disorders, with a focus on determining whether the claimed conditions are related to active service.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's knee conditions, including a review of the revised Musculoskeletal Rating Criteria and proper notice.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a duty-to-assist error and for additional evidence related to his left knee disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee instability disability rating from 20% to 20%, effective May 1, 2020, as there was no actual improvement in the condition and a brace prescribed for ambulation is required.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for upper back and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a determination on whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability was denied, and his PTSD was granted an initial increased rating to 50 percent. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities were also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability and limitation of motion, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale in previous VA medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to new diagnoses provided in a recent VA examination, and an SSOC must be issued before further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The initial rating claim for tension headaches has been granted, but no specific rating assigned yet.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as increased ratings for these conditions. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee instability, and residuals of a sexually transmitted disease (likely syphilis and nongonococcal urethritis) as there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria or showing in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent rating of bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches disability and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Service connection for a right knee disability secondary to the service-connected left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, right rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his cervical spine disability, eye disability, and left knee arthroplasty.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed eye disability and cervical spine disability (claimed as neck pain) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional medical opinions due to non-compliance with previous instructions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on various conditions were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was granted with an effective date of August 21, 2016.