Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, right knee disabilities, left knee disability, and ankle tarsal tunnel syndromes. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to in-service injuries or symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic disability. The Board also found no link between his current left knee conditions and his service-connected right leg conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The current ratings of 10% for limitation of flexion are maintained.,Separate ratings of 10% for limitation of extension prior to September 24, 2012, and noncompensable thereafter, have been granted for the left knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for depression, anxiety, PTSD, low back condition, right hand condition, hypertension, and memory loss have been granted. The claim for increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right shoulder condition and increased initial disability rating for right knee condition remain denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

For the period prior to October 15, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.,From October 15, 2018, the Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service connected, with patellofemoral syndrome being the diagnosed condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left lower extremity disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not related to service or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to July 14, 2015 and at a 30 percent rating thereafter. The claim for increased ratings for the right knee, left knee, and thoracic spine disabilities are being remanded.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability remains rated at 30 percent from July 14, 2015 onwards. The claim for increased ratings for the right knee, left knee, and thoracic spine disabilities is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee degenerative joint diseases have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

A 30 percent rating for right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative changes is granted. A 30 percent rating for left knee chondromalacia patella is granted.,A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee chondromalacia patella has been met.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and low back disability due to in-service injuries sustained during combat operations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hips, as well as chondromalacia patella with internal derangement of torn meniscus and arthritis of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 20 percent since November 1, 2012. A separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion has been granted effective November 4, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee and left hip disabilities due to inadequate examination reports, lack of compliance with court rulings, and need for retrospective findings.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for left shoulder disability, right elbow disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his claimed low back, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or aggravation leading to these current disabilities.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated at 10% for limitation of flexion with painful motion. The Board finds that the claims should be denied as there is no evidence showing more than a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for his bilateral knee and feet disabilities due to additional development being necessary.