Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the effective dates are not earlier than June 30, 2016.,Claims for increased ratings for scars of the bilateral knees and left foot and metatarsal base fracture of the left foot with degenerative arthritis were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate examination. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in the record regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with osteoarthritis prior to May 14, 2013. The TDIU claim was also remanded due to incomplete worker's compensation records.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for an increased rating for a right knee disability has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal.

The Board has granted a separate initial 20 percent rating for right knee instability, but no higher. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of moderate instability and use of a brace.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability is right knee strain, rated at 10%. The Board found that he does not have a serious employment handicap and thus is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, lumbar strain, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee limitation of extension, left knee limitation of extension, and right hip strain. The combined effect of these conditions has rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is granted a separate, compensable rating of 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The Veteran's GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, IBS, and esophageal adenocarcinoma residuals are granted a disability rating of 60 percent from September 25, 2012 to present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to unclear medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for uterine fibroids and right knee disability were denied. The rating for the right knee was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 15, 2010 or from May 1, 2011 onwards.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.,Service connection was also remanded for migraine headaches and left hip and knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously-denied claims for right knee DJD, rhinitis (claimed as sinus problems), skin disorder, bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, prostate condition, urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, and residuals of TBI is dismissed.,The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously-denied claim for left knee DJD, headaches, sleep apnea, and ED is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, back condition, bilateral knee condition, right hip condition, and migraines due to additional development. The claims are being remanded for VA examinations to determine the current disabilities and their etiology.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating from September 18, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the combined disability rating did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that complies with previous Board directives.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Board also remanded the cases of left leg and right leg disabilities due to insufficient evidence.