Knee decisions — 2021

The appeal for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as the benefits have already been granted. The left knee claims are remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for left knee, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate etiology opinions provided by a VA examiner. The claims are being remanded for new examinations and opinions from new examiners.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right trochanteric bursitis, limitation of extension of the right hip, and limitation of adduction of the right hip have been denied. The highest possible rating under applicable diagnostic codes has not been met.,The Veteran’s claim for an increased rating for residuals, medial meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament tears, status post reconstruction surgery, right knee is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of all left leg pathology, including a left knee scar. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and retrospective medical opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but the Board restored a 20% rating effective September 1, 2015.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The rating for the right knee ACL tear and limitation of extension remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder due to inadequate compliance with its March 2019 remand directives and internal inconsistencies in the December 2020 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder and left hand degenerative arthritis are granted service connection, as is the separate disability rating for semilunar cartilage dislocation of the left knee. The increased disability rating for left knee limitation of motion during flexion remains denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence and symptomatology.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence is in equipoise that these conditions were incurred or caused by the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for his right and left knee conditions due to inadequate examination reports, lack of retrospective opinions, and missing medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's left knee disabilities. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after this development is completed.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of neck injury. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for right ear hearing loss for service connection purposes.,There is no evidence of chronic bronchitis during or within one year after service. Service connection for bronchitis is denied.,No in-service knee, shoulder, or back disability was found. Service connection for these disabilities is denied.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is already service connected and does not preclude the granting of separate ratings for other joint conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient initial adjudication of certain issues and for an addendum opinion on his TBI residuals.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted starting from December 4, 2019, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee conditions due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records, including those from physical therapy sessions, and schedule a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and service connection for hallux valgus, right great toe is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a change in VA rating criteria.