Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The RO is instructed to obtain complete STRs, including any entrance examination, and seek an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, left knee, and right knee conditions due to insufficient reasons or bases in the September 2019 decision. The Court found that the Board failed to adequately account for favorable evidence suggesting current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of his National Guard records, outstanding VA treatment records, and new opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and provide addendum opinions as outlined in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability with a torn ACL, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the post-traumatic arthritis and higher ratings for the instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and hypertension due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The RO is required to obtain these records and provide the Veteran with new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the appeals for service connection for neck, right knee, left knee, and back disabilities due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions. The appeal for hypertension is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability. The claims for left knee and sleep disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to its inextricability with other claims, specifically those for service connection of a left knee disability and rectal/colon polyp. The Veteran is also advised to complete a VA Form 21-8940 to support his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his right knee disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all listed conditions has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disorders, as well as limitations of extension in both knees, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's hypertension, skin condition, right knee cyst, and upper extremity nerve condition have not been established as service-connected.,There is no evidence of a chronic disability in any of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee post-operative status repair prior to March 5, 2019 and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee traumatic arthritis with decreased flexion and pain prior to March 5, 2019.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent, effective July 2017. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was previously rated as noncompensable and has been increased to 10 percent effective April 15, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergies, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are not service-connected. The heart disability and hypertension have also been denied.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, but a separate 30 percent rating is granted for limited extension starting from January 19, 2021.