Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the service connection claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability. The decision on the back disability is due to lack of evidence showing it began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee instability and osteoarthritis due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with retropatellar pain syndrome and left knee degenerative arthritis are granted increased disability ratings, effective as of January 30, 2020. The effective date for the right knee meniscal tear is set at June 15, 2012, and for the left knee meniscal tear at September 5, 2018.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10% each. The RO has denied the initial rating claims for closed fractures of the right calcaneus (right foot) and left heel (left foot). The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has decided that additional information is needed from the October 2020 VA examiner to properly assess the Veteran's right knee conditions, and therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 100% since October 19, 2011. Bilateral pes planus with right foot hallux valgus is rated at 50% since February 28, 2005. The left knee limitation of flexion and medial meniscal tear are separately rated at 10% and 20%, respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, back, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as secondary to a pre-existing condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability: a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of reconstruction, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for instability, and an initial compensable rating for surgical scars. The remand requires additional development including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a new examination, and providing a retrospective opinion on the impact of flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee instability has also been denied.

The Veteran's left middle finger deformity has been granted a 10% rating.,Service connection for the left forearm condition is granted, but service connection for the right knee and right leg conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, TBI, cervical spine disability to include arthritis, and right knee disability due to new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and a VA vocational specialist's opinion on the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to increased symptomatology reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various hip, knee, ankle, and shin splints disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, VA treatment records from June 2020 at John Cochran VAMC in St. Louis, Missouri must be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including verification of alleged exposure to herbicides and lead paint during service.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not properly verify the Veteran's periods of active duty service and did not secure an opinion regarding the likely etiology of the claimed right ankle condition. The case is being remanded to address these issues.

The Veteran's right knee replacement with degenerative joint disease and instability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the minimum rating. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of various hip, knee, and shoulder disabilities as he withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.