Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disorders, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms within one year post-service or during active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran did not provide credible testimony regarding his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a right foot fracture is denied. The claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and TDIU prior to January 25, 2018 are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthralia, status post-operative is rated at 30 percent and his right knee strain is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 20% evaluation prior to October 21, 2014, for degenerative arthritis with instability. The left knee received a 20% evaluation from July 23, 2019, for degenerative arthritis with a semilunar cartilage tear. Other claims were denied or granted under specific conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's left knee strain is granted as service connection due to an in-service injury.

The Board denied a TDIU prior to January 22, 2010, as the Veteran was gainfully employed during this period and his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and a need to reschedule VA examinations. The issues include rating increases, service connection, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of lupus. The Veteran's left knee disability and fibromyalgia have been rated, with no further rating adjustments needed.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct rating codesheets and obtain a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and instability and recurrent patellar dislocation of the right knee due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and testimony regarding continuity of symptomology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding service connection for back and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee medial meniscal tear, status post meniscectomy is related to his in-service injuries and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's left knee instability and arthritis have been granted ratings, with the instability receiving a separate rating of 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The new evidence submitted since the May 2001 denial confirms that the Veteran currently suffers from these conditions.,The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion in the July 2014 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination for left knee arthritis, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the disability.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and left knee disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.