Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current knee disabilities are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.,The Board also denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed and has been for several years.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including the residuals of a meniscectomy and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the issues have become moot.

The Veteran is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) for loss of use of both legs and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities other than those indicating that he has loss of use of both legs.,The Veteran is also granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o).,However, the Veteran's entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) remains pending as it requires a higher level of care which has not been determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left knee condition was aggravated during his active military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left ankle traumatic arthritis due to insufficient clarification from the VA examiner regarding whether the service-connected left ankle disability caused or aggravated these other disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also received TDIU based on his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various knee and gastritis disabilities, as well as a right ankle disability. The Veteran's VA treatment records from May 2019 to the present are requested, along with his Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease and meniscus tear, is rated at 40 percent from May 15, 2015. A separate 20 percent rating for semilunar cartilage dysfunction of the right knee is granted effective May 15, 2015. The Veteran's left knee instability is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability, claimed as secondary to the right knee disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and nerve conditions of all four extremities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not have any diagnosed disabilities during or after his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's nerve condition of all four extremities was less likely than not due to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for right knee disability, service connection for back disability and sciatica, as well as secondary service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that his pre-existing right knee condition existed prior to service. The Board also found no aggravation of this condition during active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination, and new evidence is needed. The Veteran's right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and BPH as the appellant requested a withdrawal of all issues.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome, osteochondral defect and degenerative joint disease, effective March 29, 2019. His rating for lateral instability was reduced to non-compensable after January 13, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied. The Board also found that service connection could not be established for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD rating reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent is improper, and the 50 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee conditions are remanded for further examination.