Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain or strain and left knee pain or strain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty in Iraq.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are not rated higher than the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability with arthritis since February 7, 2021. The Veteran's condition is characterized by moderate instability and pain.

The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, effective August 26, 2011, and remanded the issue of separate ratings for chronic residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee disability, including MRSA infection, is being reviewed for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and strain were denied. The rating for right knee instability was not granted as the condition did not cause moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. For right knee osteoarthritis, the limitation of extension prior to August 17, 2020 was not met, while from that date onwards it was also not met.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to November 18, 2009 and for the periods from November 18, 2009 to November 15, 2012 and from January 1, 2013 to May 6, 2018. A separate evaluation of 10 percent is granted for other impairment of the left knee disability during these periods.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, right foot frostbite, left foot frostbite, right hand frostbite, left hand frostbite, tinea versicolor with tinea pedis, and status-post fracture of the left fourth finger with osteoarthritis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been granted service connection, but the RO assigned a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher disability rating for right knee disability and entitlement to TDIU due to new evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and insomnia/sleep disturbance.,However, these claims are still pending as they have not been decided on their merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees, as well as his shin splints. The case is returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection for a right knee lateral aspect scar is granted. The Veteran's increased ratings for his left and right knee degenerative joint disease are granted, with specific conditions for each period of time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and back conditions, as well as his claim for nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted as service-connected, with the opinion that it was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder. The hearing loss claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected total left knee replacement is currently rated at 60 percent from February 20, 2020. The Board denied higher ratings for the period prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 20, 2010, for a right knee disability.