Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted effective dates of December 23, 2005 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits awarded to the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a right total knee replacement as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hysterectomy, but denied service connection for left hip strain and salpingo-oophorectomy with removal of ovaries as not related to her service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including addressing new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions regarding his knee and toe disorders. The cases are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression is granted. Service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right knee/leg weakness are also granted. An effective date earlier than December 3, 2012, for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right knee and right ankle disorders were denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to suggest entitlement to any increased ratings, but remanded the issues regarding hip disorder and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities. Service connection claims for lumbar spine disability and gastrointestinal disability are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as PTSD due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability, limitation of flexion, and limitation of extension require additional examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The rating for his back condition, radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve are denied. The left knee lateral instability is granted a 10% rating effective May 20, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for band keratopathy, bilateral pseudophakia, left eye decentration, unreactive left pupil and preretinal fibrosis with diplopia as secondary to diabetic retinopathy. Service connection for left pterygium is denied due to lack of a causal relationship. Service connection for a left knee disorder is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The claims of service connection for left knee and shoulder disabilities are being returned for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee and leg disorders as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome right hand, left hand, primary vitiligo, and degenerative arthritis left knee limitation of flexion and extension due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his claimed disabilities will be considered in the new VA opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee condition and an initial rating of 30 percent for myocardial infarction prior to March 12, 2014. The appeal was remanded for further development regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during the periods specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee pain did not constitute an emergency medical condition at the time of her treatment on November 29, 2015 and December 2, 2015. As a result, she is not eligible for reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. § 1725 or 1728.,The Veteran's appeal to reimburse costs of non-VA medical care received on May 28, 2014 was timely filed.