Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of 20 percent for left knee DJD is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a VA examination. The case will be returned for another opportunity to evaluate his current severity.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension, left knee disability, and chronic low back condition for additional development as the addendum opinions are not adequate.

The Veteran's bilateral knees are currently rated at 10 percent each for degenerative changes, but the Board has granted separate ratings of 20 percent under DC 5258 for each knee effective June 30, 2011.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his bilateral knees as he does not have instability or additional limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his partial medial meniscectomy and degenerative disc disease, resulted in frequent episodes of joint locking and effusion as of July 13, 2019. A separate rating of 10 percent is granted for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for an upper respiratory condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on in-service injuries during parachute jumps.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from May 21, 2009, until October 18, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service jumping and falling from large trucks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has the education and work experience to perform non-physically demanding jobs.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address relevant evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his left knee disorder, venous insufficiency of the right lower extremity, and venous insufficiency of the left lower extremity are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine DDD and strain with scoliosis were granted a 20 percent disability rating prior to July 24, 2017. From that date forward, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The appeal for service connection of the Veteran's left knee disability has been dismissed as it was granted in full.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of a left fibula fracture is denied, but he receives a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic residuals of the left knee meniscus debridement. A TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral hip disabilities and low back disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of flexion or extension to 30 degrees, nor arthritic changes involving two or more major joints.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.