Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee disability status post total knee replacement is rated at a maximum of 60 percent, and his right knee with limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorder, vertigo/dizziness disorder, right knee disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a direct relationship to active duty service.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding his shoulder, back, and knee disabilities. The hypertension claim is also remanded with additional instructions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that it is not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected diverticulitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition, specifically whether it is related to his in-service injury during combat.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examination, which is needed to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, and his request for an increased rating for left knee residuals prior to March 1, 2017, are both being reviewed.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran's attorney requested additional development related to the competency of VA examiners and the need for new medical opinions on various issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis within one year of separation from active duty and no medical nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 31, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left knee disability and service connection for right knee disability are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right wrist disability, a right hand knuckle injury, and a right knee disability. The TDIU claim will be addressed after these other issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee DJD is dismissed as the benefits have already been granted. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine DJD is denied, and the TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an initial rating for residuals of a right anterior fibulotalar ligament rupture due to deficiencies in the March 2018 VA examination report.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left knee condition and lower back condition due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran should be provided with VA examinations to assess his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to missing VA examinations and a need for retrospective opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee, lumbar spine disabilities, and their impact on his ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis with intervertebral disc disease, status post spinal fusion L4, L5 is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The left knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to December 12, 2013 rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient examination rationale and need for a new VA medical opinion.