Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea but remanded the right knee condition claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her migraine headaches is denied.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as her cervical strain are all remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to December 13, 2012, and referring the claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new examination to address the severity of his right knee disability and its impact on his employment.

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

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for psychiatric disabilities and a rating for his lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for a right knee disorder and a renal mass. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for his left shoulder disorder and right knee disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The new addendum opinions are required to consider the Veteran’s complete medical history, including STR entries related to his knee conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, specifically failing to schedule a VA examination for the right knee disability claim. The Veteran's lay statements and service treatment records are considered in forming an opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied. Separate ratings were granted for left knee instability and painful motion during extension, with a separate rating assigned for post-meniscectomy degenerative arthritis.

A rating of 20 percent for dislocation of the semilunar cartilage of the right knee is granted.,For the appeal period prior to January 22, 2016, a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability of the right knee is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his left knee post-operative left medial meniscectomy with arthritis, other than instability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 19, 2017 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and non-compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the previous decision and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee, neck, and back disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's private treatment records indicate current right knee symptoms but no specific diagnosis or opinion regarding etiology. The case is pending further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that it did not initially manifest during or within one year of discharge from service and is related to aging and overuse rather than service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received since the last Supplement Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee chondromalacia is now pending.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disorder, as it is secondary to service-connected right ankle and bilateral foot disabilities. The Veteran's left foot fasciitis and post calcaneal spurs of the right foot have been rated appropriately prior to March 5, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, left ankle degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, tender scars, inter-trochanteric fracture of the right hip, radiculopathy involving sciatic nerve on the left, and right knee strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his disabilities are sufficiently disabling to meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the right knee is remanded due to lack of evidence showing flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees, even in consideration of functional loss.