Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right ankle and left knee disabilities were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

Service connection for a right elbow disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection for left foot bunions, corns and calluses, right foot bunions, corns and calluses, bilateral foot fungus and peeling, and left and right foot numbness are all remanded.,Service connection for headaches is remanded.,Service connection for Bell's palsy is remanded.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee condition and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for intermittent lumbar strain (back condition). The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted at a 10% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for his right shoulder and right knee patellofemoral syndrome remain unchanged.

The Board dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's knee and instability issues, as well as the application to reopen a claim for lumbar spine disability due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as right and left knee and calf disabilities. The claims were based on direct service connection rather than the presumption of undiagnosed illness or secondary to a service-connected condition.,The VA examiner found no evidence linking the hip and knee disabilities to Gulf War service or exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and a need for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development and examination of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The effective date of service connection is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been granted increased ratings, with the anterior intrameniscal ligament tear and degenerative arthritis receiving a maximum schedular rating of 20 percent effective August 26, 2016. The instability condition received a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective January 6, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a right knee disorder, and seizures due to conflicting evidence and insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical strain, left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee condition (left and right), and bilateral shoulder condition have all been granted service connection with a 10% rating for the cervical strain.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated at 20% for the period beginning June 26, 2014. The Board denied higher ratings based on additional limitation of motion and pain.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars are not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee surgical scar is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability do not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability has been granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 20 percent for recurrent right knee instability has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left knee disability service connection is denied as the earliest allowable effective date has already been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the presence of ankylosis and muscle injury in the Veteran's right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2014. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of onset in service or within one year after separation. The VA examiners concluded that the current left knee condition is not related to service.