Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee limitation of flexion, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee chondromalacia are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his back disability. The main reasons for remand include obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the left knee disability, determining whether the left shoulder disability is proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected condition, and addressing the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 28, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right knee tear and depressive disorder, prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. The Board found that he met the schedular criteria for a TDIU during the specified period.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a low back disability and a right knee disability, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded again due to inadequate medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee meniscectomy and debridement is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5261. The examination did not include range of motion testing in both passive motion and non-weight-bearing circumstances.

The Veteran's appeals were denied in various aspects, including extension of a temporary total rating for right knee convalescence beyond July 31, 2016; denial of earlier effective dates for left knee osteoarthritis and service connection for a right knee strain; and denial of a compensable rating for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate analysis and failure to address all claims reasonably raised by the record, including the Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating for left knee replacement surgery under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, and right lower extremity sensory impairment render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, right knee disorder, hypertension, and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is granted a 60 percent rating since December 1, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all claims in an October 2019 written statement.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right leg below the knee amputation was granted a rating of 60 percent, effective from November 1, 2012. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 14, 2017 and after that date, a separate rating of 20 percent for limitation of extension is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and ankle disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a presumptive condition due to in-service noise exposure. The initial rating for his scar, left knee status-post meniscus repair and lateral meniscectomy is granted at 10 percent. His hearing loss is found not to be service-connected. Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise with the claim as to whether these disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disability, and skin disability due to insufficient opinions in the original decision. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed service connected.

The request to reopen the claim for service connection for diverticulitis previously claimed as stomach condition (gastritis/pancreatitis) is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received for service connection for a knee condition, and the request to reopen the claim is granted.