Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10 percent rating for urethritis, but the Board finds that he does not have any current symptoms of voiding dysfunction related to his service-connected urethritis. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction has been diagnosed and may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran was previously gainfully employed prior to February 1, 2019, and is therefore not entitled to a TDIU for that period.

The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities. The case is being referred back for additional development, including obtaining complete SSA and Vocational Rehabilitation records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knees and right knee scars due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA disability benefit records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus granted service connection for this condition.,The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's lower back disability and his service-connected left knee disability. The Board denied service connection for the lower back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records from Eglin AFB medical facilities. The Veteran is not contesting the effective date or rating assigned for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including her migraines, right knee and left knee disabilities, vertigo, and right hip disability. The effective dates for benefits are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability requires further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted and whether he should be granted TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left hip, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses are not considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for right knee replacement, left knee scar, and right knee scar due to insufficient evidence from the last VA examination conducted more than six years ago.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine has been granted at a 20 percent level. The ratings for her left and right knee disabilities have been remanded, as well as her claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and pelvic floor dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there is no nexus between his current right knee condition and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left knee disorder is remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination. The case will be rescheduled and a new examination will provide an opinion on the current nature of his left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability and residuals of a left knee injury with limitation of flexion were denied as his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease due to new evidence and changes in rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's heart conditions are related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure. The examiner is also asked to consider all relevant evidence of record, such as medical records and treatment notes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, removal of uterus and left ovary (bleeding cysts and hot flashes), lower back pain, and body aches to include as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for constipation to include as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus (DM), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to chemical exposure. The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40%.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right knee patellar tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has found that the criteria for increased ratings are not met in all cases.