Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, particularly his spine, left hand, left wrist, right hand, right wrist, and bilateral knees, has been established. As a result, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee condition with painful limitation of motion is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's bilateral knee strain disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has determined that these ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as the evidence shows continuity of symptoms since military service and establishes a nexus between his current condition and in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left knee disability was granted, with a combined rating of 30% from August 25, 2021. The reduction of the rating from 30% to 10% was found proper and in accordance with law.

The Board has granted service connection for endometriosis and remanded the issues of increased rating for post-operative right knee torn lateral meniscus and a compensable disability rating for service-connected post-operative scars, right knee.

The Veteran's left knee post arthroplasty was granted a 60% rating since November 9, 2017. The TDIU claim prior to January 28, 2018 is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a lower back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities such as respiratory/pulmonary disability, heart disability (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory disability, skin condition (solar lentigo), sleep apnea, allergies, general arthralgia, right eye disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate record and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to deficiencies in previous examinations and issues with obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals regarding service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with panic disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder before the Board made its decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations. The issues of service connection are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee and right foot disabilities have been denied as service-connected.,The Veteran's left foot disability has also been denied as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, finding that it is attributable to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep disturbance and bilateral knee condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have been rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board denied increased ratings for the disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, right ankle sprain, and right knee DJD have all been denied higher ratings.,Specifically, the Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent prior to June 2, 2010, but not in excess of that. His right ankle sprain has a maximum rating of 20 percent as of June 2, 2010. His right knee DJD also has the maximum schedular rating.