Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 17, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus), and skin condition of the hands and feet have been granted service connection. The rating for the gastrointestinal disorder has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of motion and instability due to inadequate examination in a previous decision. The case is being returned for further development, including scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, whether his hypertension is related to service, and whether his bilateral shoulder disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle disability is remanded due to unclear examination results and the need for clarification of additional loss of ROM.,The Veteran's initial rating for low back disorder prior to February 9, 2021, and from that date forward is remanded due to conflicting examination reports and the need for clarification of additional loss of ROM.,Service connection for skin disorder is remanded due to lack of nexus opinion and need for clarification regarding exposure at Ft. McClellan, AL.,Service connection for left knee disorder is remanded due to lack of nexus opinion and need for examination.,Service connection for headaches is remanded due to lack of nexus opinion and need for examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on statutory housebound status as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated totally disabling, to include consideration of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disabilities and a headache disability due to inadequate examination opinions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee limitation of motion and instability due to changes in rating criteria effective February 7, 2021. The RO is instructed to consider both old and new rating criteria when adjudicating these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate VA opinions regarding his left foot, left hip, low back, and left knee disabilities. The claims will be further evaluated with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 12, 2020.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a 30 percent rating for the period prior to June 13, 2013. From January 7, 2016 to March 1, 2017, he received a total evaluation due to his left knee explant with prostalac. The Veteran's increased ratings from August 1, 2014 to January 7, 2016 and from March 1, 2017 onwards are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and conflicting opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including SSA records, and provide additional medical opinions on the origin of his heart disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may impact other claims.

The Veteran's claim for left knee calcific tendinitis, infrapatellar tendon was reopened and granted. Tinnitus and anxiety disorder were also granted.,Bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee disorders (including right knee posttraumatic residual degenerative joint disease), thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headaches (claimed as cephalgia) are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of heat stress and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The appeals are dismissed or denied.