Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted. He was awarded a separate 10 percent rating from October 2, 2020, for instability of the right knee. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for grand mal seizures, left knee disability, right knee disability, and tinnitus due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his military service history. The claims are not granted as there is no evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his active duty.

The Veteran's left knee surgical residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as their range of motion does not limit flexion to less than 30 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. The current evaluations are 10 percent for all conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but the underlying merits of the claims remain in dispute. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability and hypertension, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or caused by his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for new evaluations of the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip and knee disability as secondary to service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and active duty service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective October 29, 1998. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected back and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and meniscal disorder, as well as his right knee meniscal disorder, have been granted separate ratings of 20 percent each. The initial rating for left knee arthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, left knee disability, right knee disability, left hand disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's spouse, M.H., is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her multiple disabilities including psychiatric issues, lumbar spine disability, knee disabilities, and other impairments. The Board has determined that she requires the help of another person for daily activities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine strain and left knee strain, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for dental disability and diabetes mellitus. The left knee disability appeal is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records, need for a medical opinion, and inextricability with TDIU and SMC claims.

The Veteran's right knee strain disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as previous examinations are inadequate.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to undergo a VA examination for her right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate prior examinations. The case is being remanded again.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee strain with degenerative changes, effective from the date of separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee pain syndrome, psychiatric disability including PTSD, and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the veracity of in-service stressors. The VA will need to verify the alleged stressors and conduct further examinations.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the right knee meniscectomy and granted effective dates of November 25, 2003 for service connection of upper extremity radiculopathies. The cervical strain claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current left lower extremity condition is related to service, and whether any arthritis is related to service.