Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and medical opinions. The Veteran's disabilities are related to service, but the VA examinations did not consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder bursitis, left elbow medial epicondylitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's hearing loss disability is also considered to be service-connected.,Service connection was established based on the evidence showing that the Veteran experienced symptoms of these conditions during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia and right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations, particularly regarding exposure to toxins in Southwest Asia for GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development due to incomplete or conflicting medical evidence. The issues of increased ratings for left ankle fracture residuals with DJD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and left knee instability are being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously denied, and the issues of service connection for right shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability are remanded.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a new theory of entitlement. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed for service connection as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, including limitation of extension and instability, are granted. She is not entitled to a higher rating based on limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of April 30, 2014 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20 percent prior to October 1, 2020. The initial evaluation for osteoarthritis based on limitation of flexion from November 26, 2012 to May 13, 2014 was denied. A separate 0 percent rating for limitation of flexion from May 14, 2014 to September 30, 2020 is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including right eye disability, left eye disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and several joint and limb disabilities. The reasons are to obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to additional evidence added to the claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lower back conditions due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are each rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260, which pertains to limitation of flexion. The Board found that the Veteran’s range of motion was limited to 90 degrees with painful motion.,The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as required by Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination regarding the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his service-connected right femur fracture residuals and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active service. The examiner must provide diagnoses and opinions regarding any right knee disability.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the housebound rate and TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 27, 2017 due to service-connected disabilities including schizoaffective disorder, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and right knee meniscal tear are currently rated at 10 percent each, with separate ratings of 10 percent for lateral instability in both knees. The increased disability ratings have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it was incurred in service and is related to his military duties.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist tendonitis is not service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee condition is not service-connected, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of facial swelling.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of total body numbness and tingling.