Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has denied increased ratings for various conditions, including right knee disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with loose bodies and osteoarthritis are being remanded due to pending VA examinations that may impact the outcome of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected left foot disability, and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims has been withdrawn due to the appellant's decision.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee strain, right knee strain, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. The Board has also referred his claim for a higher rating for chronic sinusitis to the Under Secretary for Benefits due to its severity.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the range of motion measurements and functional impairment assessment.

The Board has remanded the claims for post-traumatic degenerative changes of the right knee, left knee, and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding VA treatment records potentially relevant to these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder (essential tremors) and denied service connection for a right knee disorder. The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus between current right knee disorders and military service.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied due to his failure to submit requested evidence and information. The Board also remanded several service connection claims, including gout, thoracolumbar spine disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and hip disorders were denied. The claim for an increased rating of the left wrist disability was granted with a 10% rating effective March 13, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee DJD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to insufficient evidence, including for left hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, right hip condition secondary to bilateral knee chondromalacia, degenerative arthritis of the spine, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claims for individual unemployability, increased evaluation for PTSD, and an earlier effective date. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10% for chondromalacia and instability, while his right knee disability is rated at 20% prior to March 14, 2007, and 40% since then.

The Board has denied service connection for back pain, prostate disability, heart valve disability, hypertension, brain abnormality, bilateral knee disability, and arthritis in bilateral upper limbs.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions were previously remanded by the Board. Additional development is required as the RO did not substantially comply with the last remand.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals, right knee degenerative joint disease, status post total right knee replacement is dismissed due to the Veteran and his attorney requesting withdrawal of the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability has worsened over time, and he is seeking a higher evaluation. The Board finds that the current VA examinations are inadequate for rating purposes due to lack of consideration of functional loss during flare-ups and other limitations. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of degenerative changes in both knees due to a lack of discussion on the theory of service connection and the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the knee conditions are related to the service-connected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).