Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee condition. The Veteran seeks service connection for his current left knee condition and pre-existing right knee condition that allegedly worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee arthritis, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to May 1, 2018. The remand is due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) that involve additional functional loss during flare-ups and following repetitive use over time.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial rating of PTSD, as well as the issues related to right knee and foot disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology and whether they are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected left gastrocnemius strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during or related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee DJD resulted in painful limitation of motion from March 8, 2017 through July 7, 2020. A staged higher initial disability rating of 10 percent for the service-connected limitation of motion due to right knee DJD is granted. The issue of a separate compensable disability rating for instability of the right knee is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under DC 5260 or 20 percent under DC 5257, and that he is already receiving the maximum available rating under DC 5258.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee meniscal tears warrant a remand for further evaluation due to worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in April 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee pain, right knee pain, and lower abdominal pain due to outstanding internal VA treatment records that need to be located and obtained. The case will also require a new VA examination for his bilateral knees and an opinion addressing whether his lower abdominal pain is related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee strain/meniscal tear with osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and assessment of functional impairment.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, including his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for left knee disability, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected right ankle and/or right hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, lower back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and left leg disability. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including his service treatment records and duty status during the relevant period. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability that he claims was caused by an injury in 2012 while on active duty.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted initial ratings of 30 percent for limitation of extension and 10 percent for instability. The rating for limitation of flexion remains at 0 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since March 9, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence shows his PTSD symptoms have worsened over time, making it difficult for him to work in an environment with others.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders are rated based on limitation of motion, with no separate rating for subluxation. The RO has denied higher ratings for both conditions.,The claim is being remanded to obtain additional evidence or a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, bilateral knee, and back conditions due to insufficient medical opinions. The issues of service connection are now pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and clarification of previous examination findings, particularly regarding instability and residual symptoms from a prior meniscectomy.