Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right knee DJD with osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent from October 21, 2014 to October 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was denied as he failed to provide the required VA Form 21-8940, Application for Increased Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability. The Board found that the Veteran has not met his burden of establishing that he is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus or a diagnosis thereof.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), erectile dysfunction, left knee condition, right hip condition, and hypertension have all been remanded due to incomplete development in the schizoaffective disorder claim.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for dislocation of semilunar cartilage. The Board has granted a higher rating than initially assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, have been granted. The appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examinations and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability prior to March 3, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, but the claims for low back, left knee, bilateral hip, and sleep apnea disorders are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disability and determined that he is entitled to service connection based on new evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's PTSD, back, knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his left knee disability, specifically during flare-ups prior to April 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims of left wrist disorder, post-TKR left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and his military service. The case will be returned for a VA examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's current knee condition and his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining issues of service connection. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, which includes parachute jumps and Ranger training. The low back disability, left foot disabilities (including callouses and bunions), right foot disabilities (including callouses and bunions), right hip disability, and left knee disability are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development needs, including a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability prior to January 11, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee and left knee due to new evidence submitted since the last SSOC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and failure to provide a clear statement of reasons or bases. The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is being reviewed again for proper service connection.