Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, as the VA examinations did not fully comply with the requirements set forth by Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, heart condition, and audiological condition due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection for pyloric ulcer channel ulcer and malnutrition (previously claimed as stomach condition) is reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU effective from March 12, 2009.

The Veteran's left knee disability claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from MacDill Air Force Base and adjudicating a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip condition, painful motion associated with left knee condition (now diagnosed as arthritis), and limitation of motion associated with left knee condition (now diagnosed as arthritis) have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is not unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted, but the specific conditions and issues are not fully specified in the provided text.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his low back disorder, finding that the evidence does not support such an increase. The case is now remanded to obtain additional VA examination reports and determine if higher staged ratings are warranted.,The right knee disorder remains under appeal with the need for a new VA examination compliant with Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) guidelines, as the Veteran reported flare-ups that require further assessment of functional loss during such periods. The case is also remanded to determine if higher staged ratings are warranted.,The TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the right knee disorder appeal and thus must be addressed together. The case is therefore remanded for a new VA examination related to the right knee disorder, as well as for further adjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's left knee total knee replacement is now rated at 60 percent effective September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic pain syndrome is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for bipolar disorder, hypertension, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete records. The Veteran’s OSA is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship with his service-connected left knee disability and any non-service-connected psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral wrist disabilities (left and right) is remanded as the VA examinations did not fully comply with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since July 10, 2003. An earlier effective date of July 10, 2003 is granted for the total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as a cervical spine disorder. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for fibromyalgia, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and nerve damage disability.,New evidence was received to reopen the claims of service connection for left knee disability and back disability. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement, has not been manifested by chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness as required for a higher rating of 60 percent under DC 5055. The Board found that the criteria for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent are not met.

The Veteran's claim for dermatophytosis is dismissed as the Board lacks jurisdiction due to the use of the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP). The claims for a left knee condition and hypertension are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyositis of the lumbar muscles and remanded other issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claim for separate evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and DJD of the knees and hands are being remanded due to unclear evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, stomach condition, hypothyroidism, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for various hand and knee conditions were denied. The right knee condition was rated at 10% from December 27, 2012, with no higher rating granted due to noncompensable limitation of flexion.