Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee disability was evaluated at March 2016 and December 2017 VA examinations. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current extent and severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer, but the claims for left and right knee disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by lateral instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, has been granted an initial non-compensable rating. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, wrist and hip disorders were denied. The right elbow arthritis claim was granted. The fibromyalgia claim was denied. The depressive disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral club foot with arthritis and pes planus was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition, and that the current disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and examinations are required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The appeals will be remanded.

The appeal of the claim seeking service connection for bilateral eye disorder, asthma, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been dismissed.,The appeals of the claims seeking service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, OSA, and diabetes mellitus have been remanded.

The Board found that the Appellant's bilateral knee and leg disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) with the Florida Army National Guard, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral athlete's foot, right and left foot disabilities, and headaches due to inadequate opinions in the June 2020 VA examination reports. The Veteran must be provided with an addendum opinion addressing his service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left leg/knee injury as there is no evidence showing the condition had onset in or was related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for information regarding his employment history and whether he worked in a 'sheltered environment' during the appeal period. The AOJ must provide the Veteran with an application form, contact former employers, obtain their responses, and obtain updated VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment from October 31, 2011 to May 16, 2013. From July 1, 2014, the disability did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability is now rated at 60 percent from May 17, 2019, reflecting a significant worsening of symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for recurrent bilateral cerumen impaction, vitamin D deficiency, left and right foot ingrown toenails, boutonniere deformity of the right 5th digit, allergic rhinitis, external hemorrhoids, hypertension, right knee instability, left knee instability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for initial compensable rating for hypertension, initial 20 percent rating for right knee instability prior to September 21, 2020, initial 30 percent rating for right knee instability from September 21, 2020, initial 20 percent rating for left knee instability prior to September 21, 2020, and initial 30 percent rating for left knee instability from September 21, 2020 have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis have not been granted.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a rating of 20%, but the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis remains at 20%.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's left knee disability, including complex regional pain syndrome, is being evaluated for its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's TBI and sinusitis have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, left eye, and left kidney disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development, including obtaining additional military personnel and medical records.