Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 30 percent rating for the period from June 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009.,A 60 percent rating was granted for his total right knee replacement with degenerative joint disease from November 1, 2010 to March 3, 2013. This is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease resulting in current left knee arthritis. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria to establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies between the frequency of prostrating attacks reported by the Veteran and those found by the examiner, as well as discrepancies in the range of motion findings.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and right knee disability for further development due to incomplete documentation regarding the qualifications of the examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or was related to in-service noise exposure, and he failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the thoracolumbar spine condition, including arthritis and stenosis, as well as the bilateral knee and leg conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain a fully informed evaluation of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay accounts regarding continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for chronic pain syndrome is granted, and he is awarded an effective date of June 21, 2013 for his right knee arthroscopic surgical scars. The claims for earlier effective dates for bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy and right elbow olecranon bursitis with spur are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence added by VA, including VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The Veteran must either request AOJ review or waive it.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the condition is related to active duty service. The decision was based on the Veteran's lay statements of continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee disability is denied, but he is granted a separate award of service connection for left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and left lower extremity nerve disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right knee, and lumbar spine disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues are now before the Board again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD, service connection for right and left knee disorders, and TDIU due to ongoing medical issues and potential inconsistencies in the evidence.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as his lumbar spine disability, have been granted increased ratings based on their manifestations of pain, joint locking, and functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to March 19, 2018, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, anxiety disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees, and instability of the knees, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for new medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's knee and hip disorders are aggravated by his service-connected back disorder or radiculopathy disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.