Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to insufficient consideration of medication effects and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including patellofemoral syndrome and instability, are currently rated at the lowest possible levels (10 percent each) for limitation of motion. The Board has determined that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new, adequate evaluations of his low back disability, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various hip and knee conditions, as well as a back strain. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including chondromalacia and a meniscus tear, is rated at 10 percent since February 29, 2012. Separate ratings for patellar instability and locking/effusion are granted. Service connection for right knee, hip, lower back, and foot disorders secondary to the left knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bladder condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected knee and back disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, right leg, and low back disabilities as they are considered to have onset during his active military service.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right knee instability and subluxation, effective July 15, 2010. The ratings for right and left knee arthritis remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU prior to July 16, 2010, were denied. The Board found that the assigned ratings under DCs 5010, 5257, and 5258 are appropriate.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee disability and hearing loss effective December 2, 1993. The effective date for these awards is set at the earliest possible date based on the receipt of his application.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus and PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol/cocaine use disorder was granted effective September 30, 2015. The claims were not filed prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his disabilities to military service. The VA will provide addendum opinions on these issues.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking her current knee conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's right knee disability has resulted in traumatic arthritis with painful limitation of flexion, and an initial rating of 20 percent is granted. The left knee strain with degenerative changes does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting a withdrawal of all appeal matters.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantial gainful employment, as evidenced by his continued full-time employment.

The Veteran's spine disability is denied as not service-connected. The effective dates for right knee arthritis and left knee total arthroplasty are denied as there is no legal basis to grant an earlier date. The rating for right knee arthritis prior to June 28, 2016 is denied. A 60% rating from August 1, 2017 to January 30, 2018 and since July 20, 2020 is granted for right knee total arthroplasty. Separate ratings of 10% are granted for right knee instability from March 17, 2016 to June 28, 2016 and left knee instability from March 17, 2016 to December 4, 2019. The Veteran's scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. TDIU is denied.