Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD have been granted service connection.,An increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination report.,Service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and respiratory condition are remanded as no VA examination was provided.,Bruxism secondary to TBI is also remanded.,Right shoulder disability and low back disability ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as a back disability, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a grant of an initial 10 percent rating for limitation of adduction due to myositis ossificans of the right hip.,The remaining claims for increased ratings were all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left total knee replacement are granted with a 60 percent rating effective October 1, 2015. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee instability and osteoarthritis (manifested by limitation of extension) are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis disability was granted a 20 percent rating from October 21, 2011 to December 27, 2012. The Board found that the condition met the criteria for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of joint pain and without ankylosis, flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, extension limited to 20 degrees or more, or nonunion or malunion of the tibia and fibula.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome is granted an increased rating to 20 percent, effective January 17, 2017.,Left knee instability is granted a 10 percent rating, also effective January 17, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected right knee flexion, instability, and left knee PFS were denied. The current ratings of 10 percent are found to be appropriate based on the evidence.

The Veteran's right great toe disability is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease (DDJ) was granted an initial 10 percent rating and later increased to 30 percent starting August 1, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and a left knee disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition.,Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence to link the current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as they were granted in prior rating decisions.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and urticaria, and a compensable rating for the residual surgical scar of the left wrist, status post left dorsal ganglion cyst excision, are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for hearing loss, residuals of a breast reduction, urticaria (urticaria), right knee disability, hemorrhoids, and acrophobia. The claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for his right knee injury and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to appear at scheduled VA examinations without good cause. The Board found that both issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral eye conjunctivitis has been granted. The remaining issues regarding her knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, prostate cancer, and COPD. The right knee degenerative arthritis claim was granted with a separate rating for left knee strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by diffuse pain of the joints and muscles other than pain associated with spondylolisthesis, arthritis of the hands, osteomyelitis, bilateral torn rotator cuffs, and arthroscopic surgery due to a knee disability in both knees, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoarthritis of the right knee, sarcoidosis, lung damage/chronic bronchitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and congestive heart failure (CHF) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records from VA and Social Security Administration (SSA), and a VA examination for each condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back disability due to the full benefit sought being granted in a previous rating decision. The TDIU claim was granted as the Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70% and he is unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure the Veteran receives appropriate assistance in developing his claims prior to final adjudication.,The Veteran's service connection claims for right elbow and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.