Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right ankle, left knee, flat feet, thoracolumbar strain (back condition), and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for left and right knee bursitis was granted, with a 10% rating prior to December 5, 2019, and a 50% rating from that date. The 40% rating for the right knee is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right ankle disability and bilateral knee arthritis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for residuals of a nasal injury, status post-nasal surgery is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to his failure to submit an updated VA Form 21-8940 within one year of the VA's July 2020 request, which was sent to his current address of record.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for left knee disability, limitation of flexion and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, limitation of extension.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic low back pain and thoracic spine disability, cervicothoracic spine pain, right knee pain and dysfunction, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service onset of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted with a 30% rating for limitation of motion. Separate ratings are granted for right knee instability and left knee instability, each at 20%. A separate 30% rating is granted for left knee arthritis resulting in limited flexion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues of service connection for left knee, left leg, low back, right hip, and right knee disabilities are all under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee strain with instability was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability that warranted an increase in his existing 20% evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and left knee instability have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a 30% rating for limitation of flexion and extension, and the left knee receiving a 30% rating for limited flexion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to attempt to locate and retrieve medical records from her primary care provider.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service injuries and a private physician's opinion linking his current conditions to military service.

New evidence has been submitted supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, right knee, left third finger, and right fourth finger disabilities. These cases are remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability prior to October 27, 2017. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's right knee tendonitis during periods of flare-ups. The VA examiner did not provide a retroactive estimate of functional loss based on the Veteran's reports at the June 2017 VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 40 percent effective February 14, 2017. The right knee strain with arthritis remains rated at 10 percent.