Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's status-post MRSA infection prior to October 9, 2019 does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.,The Veteran's left knee strain with osteoarthritis has not met the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent before March 21, 2019 and after June 1, 2019 (status-post arthroscopy surgery).,The Veteran's right knee strain with osteoarthritis since June 1, 2019 has not met the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left knee disability, finding that it was not caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 1, 2014, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support such a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than what has already been assigned.

The Veteran's left foot disability, including arthritis and scars, is rated at a higher level of 20 percent effective from March 16, 2011. The right knee disability received post-operative total replacement is also rated at 60 percent effective from October 5, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for a left knee disability as it was fully granted in a previous rating decision. The appeals for sleep apnea and reflux are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee chondromalacia with traumatic degenerative joint disease has been dismissed. The appeals for higher ratings for nocturnal periodic leg movements and left ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities associated with Reiter's syndrome and awarded an effective date of April 3, 1997.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not appropriate as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service connected.,TDIU and DEA benefits are restored due to improper discontinuance.

The Veteran's right knee instability and DJD are currently rated at 10 percent, while the meniscus tear is rated at 10 percent. The disability rating for right knee instability has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to updated rating criteria for knee disabilities and unclear information regarding prescribed assistive devices.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence received. However, the claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the service connection for back and knee disabilities, as well as their relationship to a previously service-connected sesamoid fracture of the left foot.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell cancer, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal on the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for hypertension and right knee sprain has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's Crohn's disease is granted with a rating of 60 percent, but no greater. The Veteran's shingles scars are denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for associated lumbar spine radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE), is remanded due to a lack of notification and the need for a current examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right (dominant) shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the nexus between active service and this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, skin disorders, a lumbar spine disability, GERD, right knee disabilities, and TDIU. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.