Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of flare-ups and functional impairment.,The Veteran's bladder disorder with voiding dysfunction is being remanded to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is being remanded to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and bilateral neuropathy of the hands and feet are being remanded to determine if they are related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's vision disorder is being remanded to determine if it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed for several issues, including left ankle, left knee, left shoulder disabilities, right ear pain, and chronic jaw pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will be provided with new examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new VA treatment records and examination reports, as well as an inadequate right knee disability examination. The issues of service connection for a right knee disability and increased evaluations for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee arthritis claim should be remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if his disability is related to service.

The Board has granted effective dates of April 22, 2019 for the increased ratings of left maxillary sinusitis (30%), patellofemoral syndrome, left knee with compartment arthritis (10%), and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with compartment arthritis (10%).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of low back disability, migraine headaches, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted. The housebound claim is dismissed due to the grant of SMC by reason of regular need for aid and attendance. The claims for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease and left knee arthroscopy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of diabetes mellitus and bilateral knee disability due to additional development being required, including consideration of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for chronic nose bleeds has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for low back disability is reopened and granted. Issues regarding left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded, as well as the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim is denied because he did not serve in a period of war and thus does not meet the eligibility requirements for pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to address the issue of entitlement to a disability rating greater than 50 percent prior to January 24, 2019 for left knee anterior cruciate ligament strain status post total arthroplasty. The RO will need to issue this SSOC and provide an opportunity for the Veteran to respond.

The Board has restored the previous ratings for scars, right knee, traumatic arthritis with limited flexion, and limitation of extension, all at 20 percent, effective September 1, 2015 to October 22, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the combined rating not meeting the percentage requirements for schedular entitlement, and the Board finds evidence suggesting he may be unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The case must now be submitted to the Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and rating reduction issues due to incomplete medical records, including lack of range of motion measurements from a March 2008 examination. The Veteran is also being asked to complete an application for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability as residual of right patella fracture. The appeal regarding increased rating for residuals of right patella fracture and TDIU prior to January 31, 2013 is remanded due to outstanding records and the need for a medical opinion.