Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's post-total knee replacement (TKR) left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his service-connected adjustment disorder and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of her 30 percent ratings to 10 percent were denied as there was no evidence of sustained improvement in her knee conditions, and the reductions were proper based on the April 2009 and August 2010 VA examination reports.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion and instability. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee strain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis were rated at 10 percent prior to April 7, 2014 for the right knee and May 5, 2014 for the left knee. The appeals for higher ratings in these periods have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lumbar arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee strain, and left big toe hallux limitus, have significantly interfered with his employment. The Board finds that referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration is warranted prior to October 11, 2016.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left wrist and left wrist scar disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a left wrist surgical scar, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and rating issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the current evidence does not support granting these claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board cannot consider her claim for a TDIU in the first instance due to her service-connected disabilities, and she indicated that she cannot work due to symptomatology associated with these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded for further development.,Service connection for right shoulder arthritis was granted.

The Board has remanded four issues related to instability and degenerative arthritis of the Veteran's knees due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case is being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to November 23, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The left knee was granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for instability and a rating of 30 percent for limitation of motion from April 1, 2014, to prior to November 23, 2016. Both knees were denied an evaluation in excess of the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's left foot ingrown toenails are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted due to lack of significant functional impairment.,The Veteran's right knee disability warrants an initial 10 percent rating from May 3, 2013, based on painful motion. The issue remains remanded for further development.,A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted from June 7, 2012, due to slight functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left ankle, left knee, right knee disabilities as well as a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and kidney disease.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in February 2021 are inadequate for evaluating the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The issues have been remanded to comply with the prior remand instructions.