Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 30 percent for limited extension of the left knee due to meniscus degenerative disease from January 24, 2010. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for limited flexion of the left knee due to meniscus degenerative disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was not enough evidence to show he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically addressing range of motion during flare-ups.

The Veteran's right knee DJD, instability, and locking have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent each since December 18, 2013.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each for frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. Separate ratings of 20 percent are also granted for instability in both knees.

The Veteran's claim for SMC-AA was filed on September 11, 2006. The Board granted an effective date of September 11, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of SMC-AA.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The Board has remanded all issues, including service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella with laxity rating was restored from 10% to 20%, effective June 1, 2017. The right knee and DJD ratings remain under review.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, left knee, and bilateral hip disorders as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinions were against a nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded her claim for a higher rating for her service-connected right knee patella fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD, was denied. The claims for increased evaluations for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee instability were also denied. The claim for left shoulder dyskinesis was partially denied, with a 20 percent evaluation granted from October 13, 2020, but the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent remains pending. The Veteran's claim for TBI/post-concussion syndrome with insomnia was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal disability and degenerative arthritis are rated at 10 percent each, while urticaria is not service-connected. The TDIU claim is granted prior to February 28, 2013.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and instability. The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for locking, but the issues of rating osteoarthritis and instability remain remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Appellant's periods of active duty and OCS from June 1991 to March 1992. The VA is required to verify these dates and provide an addendum medical opinion on whether her claimed conditions are related to service, including aggravation during OCS.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for residuals of a left femur fracture, a left knee disability (secondary to the femur fracture), and hypertension are inextricably intertwined with the claim for TDIU. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative changes, left wrist and left knee instability as there is no evidence of moderate or severe instability in either condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability and gouty arthritis are granted service connection, with a 10% rating assigned for the left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disability has been denied. The current rating of 20 percent for instability is maintained, but the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for adjustment disorder is granted, effective from August 17, 2016. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise that the Veteran met the criteria for a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period.