Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left ear disabilities due to lack of evidence of chronic conditions during or following active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and TDIU due to incomplete development in previous examinations. The low back disability claim is remanded as there was no discussion of in-service complaints or treatment notes. The left knee disability claim requires an additional VA examination to assess painful motion and range of motion limitations. The TDIU claim must be deferred until the other claims are resolved.

The Veteran's left knee conditions, including anterior cruciate ligament tear and degenerative arthritis, are rated at 10 percent since January 16, 2020. The rating is for limitation of motion in the flexion of the knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied. The lumbar spine disability has been granted a rating prior to September 14, 2020 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, including limited flexion and extension, as well as a meniscus removal, are rated at 10% effective November 8, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left and right foot conditions, bilateral knee conditions, and denied service connection for GERD and sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide an opinion regarding the etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder, both secondary to his right knee disability, is granted.,However, the Board has determined that additional development is needed as the opinions provided by VA examiners are inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to January 25, 2012 for a 50% rating for migraines and a compensable rating for avulsion of the distal tip of the left little finger has been withdrawn. The right knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings of 20 percent for instability in both knees. The TDIU claim is granted effective July 24, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable prior to August 29, 2016, and has been increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds the November 2020 VA examination inadequate due to lack of passive range of motion measurements upon weight bearing and non-weight bearing testing.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20% rating effective March 6, 2013. The left knee disability received a separate 10% rating for slight lateral instability prior to March 30, 2016.

Service connection for low back disorder (degenerative arthritis of the spine) is granted.,Service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by patellofemoral pain syndrome and other conditions, is now rated at 30 percent. The rating reflects additional functional loss due to flare-ups that result in weakness, limited motion, and additional pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a left ankle disability and service connection for right knee and low back disabilities due to incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, low back condition, right ankle condition, and right hip condition as secondary to his service-connected right medial meniscus tear due to insufficient opinions regarding aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and has denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's sleep disorder and left knee disability are remanded for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim as her service-connected disabilities have prevented her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of corneal ulcer with infiltrate, left eye has been reopened. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation and rating of his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability, but denied service connection for prostate cancer due to lack of evidence linking it to exposure at Camp Lejeune.