Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hip disabilities has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent, effective from September 28, 2012 to October 16, 2018.,The Veteran's migraine headaches since October 17, 2018, were also granted a rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected. The bone condition of the left leg, other than left knee disability, and external cutaneous nerve damage of the left lower extremity are not granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral shin splints, ankle disability, and knee disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his thoracolumbar spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle partial tear of the anterior talofibial ligament disabilities have been denied. The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraine headaches has also been denied. His TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete medical opinion, and needs a new examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to his right ankle, left elbow, and right hip conditions. The examinations were not conducted as scheduled.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellar tendonitis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during or was related to the Veteran's period of service.

The Veteran's right knee and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for new examinations due to increased severity since the last VA examination in January 2016.,The TDIU claim is being remanded for consideration on an extraschedular basis, as it may have been warranted from 2008 based on a private medical opinion and the Veteran's unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and lower back disorders are related to his active duty service, necessitating a remand for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for right knee tendonitis, meniscal tear prior to August 13, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome was granted a 20 percent rating from February 22, 2019. Right knee patellofemoral syndrome is denied. Separate 10 percent ratings for slight bilateral knee instability are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of preexisting right knee condition and consideration of functional impairment in left knee. The Veteran's claim for bilateral knee disabilities is now pending with further development required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service condition or manifestation within a year after separation from service. The Board also found no nexus between current knee arthritis and active service.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and bilateral knee disabilities (degenerative joint disease) are granted as service-connected. The claim for a fracture of the clavicle is denied.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for his right knee disability prior to April 26, 2017 and as of that date was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as her service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability. The case is remanded to determine if a left knee disability is proximately due or aggravated by the right knee disability.

The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus is granted service connection based on direct evidence. The claim for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left elbow disability, and right elbow disability are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations. Service connection for psychiatric disability is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of these issues. The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet is granted, and the issue of TDIU is remanded.