Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain and right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cardiovascular disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disability, neurological disability (vertigo), bilateral hip and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and a rating for multilevel spondylosis and mild spinal stenosis. The remand requires additional examinations and medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in its decision and the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities are related to his service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen her claims for service connection of left and right knee disorders, low back arthritis. The issues of service connection for bilateral knees and upper extremities conditions are remanded due to inadequate examination in February 2020. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for restrictive lung disease is denied as he does not have current restrictive lung disease. The Board also remanded the issues of rating his right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate examination findings and the need for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability and depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with previous directives, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of a left knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her right and left knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee injury was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's right knee semilunar cartilage dislocation with effusion and pain is rated at 20 percent prior to May 16, 2013. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 14, 2017 and on or after that date. The Veteran's right knee disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 28, 2013.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since August 14, 2017 and her right knee disability is rated at 20%.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle injuries due to further development being necessary.

The Veteran's right knee DJD condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his left knee DJD condition prior to June 3, 2020, he was assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board also finds no basis for a higher rating in this case.,The Veteran's right knee post cartilage removal currently has a 10 percent rating, and the Board does not find any basis for a higher rating under these circumstances.,For his left knee post cartilage removal prior to June 3, 2020, he was assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board also finds no basis for a higher rating in this case.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for right and left knee strain with degenerative arthritis has been denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder due to additional development. The claims are being returned for further review.