Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a right wrist condition and a right knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a left foot disability, a right knee disability, hypogammaglobinemia (CVID), and a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of the rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right hip arthritis with limitation of flexion, left knee arthritis with painful motion, and right knee arthritis with painful motion.

The Veteran's service-connected interstitial lung disease and right knee injury caused him to require regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and shrapnel wound scarring of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions. The VA will obtain additional examinations and opinions as needed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a stomach disorder is denied, while his claim for left knee degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and low back disorder are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. Service connection was denied for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran. The right knee and back disability claims are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disorders, as well as bilateral foot conditions (hallux valgus and hammertoes), all of which were determined to be not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the SMC claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status and additional VA and private treatment records are needed. The appeal is now in remand status.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee since February 29, 2016.,The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear is not considered to have manifested during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is granted a 20 percent rating, effective April 30, 2008. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating with no higher ratings allowed. The gastroenteritis also receives a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for groin condition, right foot hallux valgus, right foot pes planus, and right knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and a copy of the examiner's curriculum vitae.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of flexion to 30 degrees required for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for knee and shin splints conditions due to an inadequate VA examination opinion. The examiner relied on incomplete records, particularly regarding treatment during service.

The Veteran's post-TKR right knee disability is rated at 30 percent effective May 17, 2018. Ratings in excess of 30 percent are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee patellar tendonitis, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating prior to January 8, 2014. The right knee scar was also denied an initial compensable rating.,Prior to January 8, 2014, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating due to limited flexion. As of January 8, 2014, his disability warranted a 40 percent rating based on pain and functional loss.