Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, left and right knee DJD, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 30, 2015 due to incomplete information in the examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance and/or due to being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there is at least as likely as not that her bilateral feet disability was aggravated by her knees conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted a 60 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance from March 11, 2011 to January 22, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean, and protect himself from hazards.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for right knee, left knee, and skin condition disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscal tear and degenerative changes, is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating more than 10 percent for right knee patellar tendonitis with patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied. The Board also determined that the criteria for TDIU were not met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a lung disability are denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as secondary to hearing loss, have been remanded.

Effective September 8, 2011, a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. Effective November 21, 2014, special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound level is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions addressing his claimed lumbar spine, knee, ankle, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is presumed to have existed at the time of his entrance into active duty service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption. Therefore, the claim for service connection for right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's back condition, left knee instability, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were all granted increased ratings. The left great toe condition was granted a higher rating from November 20, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability, as well as for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence addressing the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right hip and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence, including the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral knee condition due to new evidence and development. The left hand laceration scar claim is granted with a 10% rating but no higher prior to March 9, 2021.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to the ratings of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative lumbosacral disc disease with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, left ankle avulsion fracture, and scalp laceration scar.

The Veteran's left and right knee conditions have been rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, but no higher. The Board denied increased ratings as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and upper extremity radiculopathy claims due to the need for retrospective medical opinions. The remaining issues are remanded for readjudication.