Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee sprain and meniscal tear have been rated at 10 percent since May 2014, but the appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to April 7, 2017 due to his service-connected right shoulder and left leg/knee disabilities which rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee disabilities and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the service connection appeals for additional development to obtain opinions regarding the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and their relationship to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for Lyme disease residuals, low back arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and left shoulder arthritis. The decision also includes a request for additional examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, specifically from Lawrenceville CBOC and Atlanta VAMC. The Veteran's claim of a rating in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee with degenerative joint disease will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and left hip conditions due to insufficient medical opinions in the July 2019 decision. The Veteran must provide additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, left knee strain, and right knee strain have all been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of any higher evaluations.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his right knee conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis and skin cancer are not related to his military service, but new medical opinions are needed to address these claims.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating, effective September 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of the claimed conditions to service. The Veteran's low back, knee, hemorrhoid, GERD, and urinary tract disabilities are all being reviewed further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and gastroesophageal disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and instability have been denied. The highest schedular rating of 30% has been granted for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection to his right knee disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability or impairment of earning capacity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating of left knee DJD and back disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating for his left knee DJD, but granted separate ratings for limitation of extension and instability. Service connection for his back disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for further medical opinions. The Veteran's spouse asserts that he had knee, neurological, and skin conditions related to his service at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and hip conditions as well as a depressive disorder, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right knee disability due to inadequate examination reports and functional loss during flare-ups. A new examination is required.