Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues related to service connection for right and left knee disorders, which are claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's chronic left ankle sprain and left knee strain have been granted ratings, with the left ankle receiving a 20% rating and the left knee receiving a 10% rating for instability. The issues of higher ratings for these conditions remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence and for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and ACL laxity, was found to not warrant a higher rating prior to November 7, 2018. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient information in the previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hand conditions.

Service connection is denied for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder condition.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for his left knee disability is granted. The claims for service connection for right wrist and hip disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, also denied.,Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for meniscus tears in both knees.

The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.,The Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to a duty to assist error in not verifying herbicide exposure during service.,The Veteran's heart disability and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to a duty to assist error in not verifying herbicide exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from March 7, 2016 to January 17, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that VA obtain relevant treatment records from various sources and schedule the Veteran for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for urinary disability, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders due to a lack of adequate aggravation opinions. The Veteran is also being remanded for additional development regarding his claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate as well as for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination in June 2018. The case must be remanded for a comprehensive VA examination and opinion addressing all theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee arthritis, as these issues were not adequately addressed in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and traumatic arthritis, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from July 24, 2017 through September 11, 2017 was denied because he had been working to a level of substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and a need for additional records. The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is being reviewed again with new evidence.