Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and awarded a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The Veteran's left knee medial meniscus tear is rated at the minimum compensable level.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions, including left knee arthritis with meniscal tear and anterior and posterior chest acne scars, is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, lumbar degenerative arthritis, and unspecified depressive disorder. The lumbar disability is also secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically his flare-ups. A new examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, to include as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine disorder, needs further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 50% since May 11, 2017 for limitation of extension. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his bilateral knee disabilities.,His hearing loss disability remains rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and temporary total rating based on convalescence following right knee arthroscopy due to incomplete medical opinions and procedural issues.

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for right knee arthritis. The Veteran's claims for left wrist disability, right hip disability, right leg disability (secondary to low back disability), and sciatica (secondary to low back disability) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities have been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent, effective prior to November 5, 2015. The Veteran’s service connection claims for other joint pain conditions are remanded.,The Veteran's left ring finger sprain has not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate prior VA examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases in the decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee condition, including whether it is related to service or preexisted his entry into service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the significant worsening of his conditions since the last examination, and he should be afforded a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The right hip disorder and flat feet claims are denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and there was no aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Bilateral hearing loss is granted, but back, left hip, and knee disorders are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology and relationship between the Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and his service-connected disabilities, including his right knee ACL repair residuals.

The Veteran's right-knee disorder was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to December 16, 2016 and denied an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's status post total right-knee replacement was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from February 1, 2018 and denied an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to July 13, 2016 due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder. From July 13, 2016, the claim is moot as he already receives SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

Service connection is granted for a neck condition, right eye condition, and bilateral knee condition.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertensive retinopathy and open angle glaucoma are considered to be related to his service-connected right eye condition.