Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for left knee disorder and a separate compensable rating for left knee instability due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

An increased disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected back disability is granted from September 1, 2015 to April 15, 2021.,An increased disability rating higher than 20 percent for the service-connected back disability is denied from April 16, 2021 forward.,A separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability is granted for the entire rating period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for right knee injury residuals, granted a separate rating for symptomatic right knee meniscectomy, and denied a higher rating for dorsolumbar myositis. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an increased rating for his right knee disability due to incomplete opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to notify him of scheduled VA examinations and his homelessness. The cases are now returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with residual meniscal tear is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic residuals of left knee semilunar cartilage removal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and right hip disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right ankle disability and service connection for a left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical inquiry.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limited flexion and instability, is now rated at 20 percent effective June 8, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's dizziness is found to be related to his service-connected cardiovascular disabilities.,There is no evidence that the right shoulder disability began during service or is linked to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, back disability, and sinus disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide further private or VA medical records, and he will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board dismissed the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for coagulase negative staphylococcus of the right knee due to a withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for an eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and narcolepsy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for temporary 100 percent evaluations for bilateral knee disabilities, service connection for various conditions, and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Claims to reopen service connection for right Achilles' tendonitis, right hand condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, left ankle condition, left ring finger fracture, bilateral testicular pain, scar of the right occipital temporal area, left arm scar, seborrheic keratosis, fibromyalgia, IBS, diabetes mellitus, left elbow condition, gum damage and missing teeth, bilateral dry eyes, hyperlipidemia, and right elbow condition have been dismissed.,Claims for higher initial ratings and effective dates prior to July 6, 2018 for service connection of cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The claims for revision based on CUE in the reduction of ratings for left shoulder sprain with degenerative changes, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding a current right knee disability and its relationship to service. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right knee disabilities has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure of the Veteran to report for VA examinations. The case is being returned to provide the necessary examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in a previous VA examination, which did not account for left knee flare-ups. A new examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee condition.