Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left knee disability and a back disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to additional evidence being added to the file. The RO will consider this new evidence in its first instance.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to conflicting opinions and lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for chondromalacia and arthritis of the right knee, based on limitation of extension from February 23, 2016, was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for right knee instability from February 23, 2016, was denied.,The effective date earlier than January 14, 2013, for service connection for depression with anxiety was granted.,The Veteran's TDIU rating from April 10, 2012, to January 13, 2013, was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not otherwise attributable to service. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection for his right knee condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sarcoidosis, right knee status post medial meniscectomy, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was denied. A separate compensable rating for limitation of extension of the left leg from December 12, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam. The low back and bilateral knee disorders are denied as not incurred or caused by service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal through his representative.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of cervical neck is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left knee pain with arthritis and right knee pain with arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating and were of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disorder may be related to service, but needs further clarification and evidence. The case is being sent back for a more detailed examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left knee and low back conditions due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his disabilities of the left shoulder, right shoulder and left knee has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims at this time.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted an initial 10 percent rating.,A compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to January 15, 2013 and a greater than 10 percent rating thereafter is denied.