Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disorder, hepatitis C, and liver disorder due to insufficient VA medical opinions addressing their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right hip disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for instability and removal of a meniscus, but denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic left knee sprain. The Veteran's flexion was limited to at most 70 degrees throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion. The ratings were denied as the conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted a 30 percent initial rating for the Veteran's peripheral vestibular disorder since May 16, 2016 and has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both feet or need for aid and attendance. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, right shoulder arthropathy, and bilateral hip arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, including from SSA. The Veteran's right knee condition is also being reviewed by a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her left and right knee disabilities, as well as her TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's right knee patellar subluxation was granted a rating of 20 percent, but reduced to non-compensable since May 25, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to service-connected PTSD, including as due to obesity. The back disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability, to include corns on his feet, and for a sinus related disability, to include headaches. The remaining claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral ankle arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis have been reopened but denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus due to lack of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for a left knee disability is granted at 20 percent. The right knee disability remains remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and a need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated information regarding his employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a secondary service connection opinion considering all relevant conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA medical examination of the Veteran's right knee, as the previous examination did not adequately assess functional loss after repeated use over time.