Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from February 1, 2000. The effective date for the TDIU is set at February 1, 2000.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that his current condition is due to symptoms he reported during service and continuing since then.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including post-operative anterior cruciate ligament tear and degenerative arthritis, is already rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5258 for semilunar cartilage dislocation with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint. A separate rating for limitation of motion due to arthritis is not warranted.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis status post lateral meniscectomy and right knee joint osteoarthritis with instability have been rated at 20 percent each, but the RO has denied an increased rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 31, 2006. The Board also referred the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 31, 2006 for further review.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Board is requesting further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee conditions, including DJD and a ruptured quadriceps tendon.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to determine if his pre-existing left knee condition was aggravated by military service and whether his current back, hip, and shoulder conditions are related to his military service.

The claims for service connection of right knee and low back disabilities have been reopened. The claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder including depression has also been reopened, but the claim for service connection of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The claim of reopening the previously denied service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 30 percent prior to September 26, 2019 and granted a rating of 60 percent beginning on that date. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not show it was related to service or caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service. The right-hand and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and bilateral knee arthritis are preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as per his statements and VA examination reports. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU award.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, including a right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's right knee disorder resulted in flexion limited to 85 degrees and no other issues. The RO denied an increased rating for the condition, as it did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient VA opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran is asked to provide information regarding her service treatment records, civilian hospital visits in Germany, and a lightning strike during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and evidence related to a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claim. The right ankle arthritis evaluation and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, left knee instability, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis, instability, or other disabling conditions in either knee.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right knee retropatellar pain syndrome and hiatal hernia (GERD) due to inadequate development of evidence.