Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the disability rating for right knee osteoarthritis, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Memorial Health System on February 11, 2014 and March 11-12, 2014 were denied because the claims were not filed within the required 90-day period from when a third party refused to pay.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to physical limitations.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have not met the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261 due to normal range of motion.,The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left knee instability is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating under revised Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to service. The Veteran needs a medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability had its onset in service and if his left knee disability is caused by or aggravated by his right knee disability. The decision will be reconsidered after additional medical opinions are obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for left and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee and instability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.,A new and material evidence claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was granted, allowing the Veteran to reopen this previously denied claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and instability, is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her bilateral knee disabilities, including functional limitations during flare-ups and after repetitive use.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of entitlement to a disability in excess for residuals of right knee ACL tear and entitlement to a compensable disability rating for mild hiatal hernia and pyrosis disorder. The Veteran's testimony indicates worsening of his service-connected disabilities, which triggers the need for VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of multiple joints (including ankles, knees, and feet), were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is being remanded due to the need for consideration of new rating criteria effective February 7, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The decision also granted a 10% rating for a facial scar.,The Veteran’s claim for an eye disability remains pending as there are missing records that need to be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder tendonitis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of continuous pain symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee residuals have been granted increased ratings and TDIU from June 1, 2016 to March 29, 2018 and from June 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, sinusitis, headaches, acid reflux, esophagitis, thyroid, and abdominal hernia have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.,Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine DDD, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, left hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle disability and posttraumatic headaches, have led to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has ordered further development of the employment history and requested information from SSA.