Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues include chronic fatigue, a chronic joint condition (manifested by knee and ankle pain), and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability (to include as secondary to a knee disability), and sleep apnea due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's urinary disability was initially rated at 40 percent prior to March 29, 2018 and increased to 60 percent from that date. The gout rating remained at 20 percent before April 30, 2019 but increased to 60 percent starting on that date. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 1, 2018 and then at 40 percent from May 1, 2018 to May 14, 2018. It was rated at 60 percent starting July 1, 2019. The left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2019 and then increased to 40 percent starting on that date. The right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2019 and then increased to 40 percent starting on that date.,The Veteran's urinary disability met the criteria for a higher rating from March 29, 2018 to April 30, 2019. The gout rating was increased to 60 percent beginning on April 30, 2019. The right knee and peripheral neuropathy ratings were also increased accordingly.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient examination findings and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot disability, right knee disability as due to a left knee disability, and depressive disorder. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity nerve impingement, lumbar spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder as due to a left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression and physical conditions such as back pain, knee issues, hip problems, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 8, 2013. The Board granted a TDIU for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her lumbar spine and right knee disabilities were denied. The claim for a higher rating for arthritis and chondromalacia of the right knee prior to September 17, 2013 was granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left hand arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), enlarged prostate, headaches, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, including arthritis due to overuse and a bucket handle meniscus tear on the right knee. The decision is based on direct evidence of in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's knee flare-ups and their impact on his disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee strain, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for LOM symptoms and no separate compensable rating was warranted for non-LOM symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for degenerative joint disease and no higher. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of more than slight instability, warranting a separate rating.,Since November 28, 2016, the Veteran has been diagnosed with slight right knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his service records and inadequate examination for assessing his knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for joint hypermobility syndrome, right shoulder disorder, right scapular dysfunction, left knee meniscus tear, and right ankle disorder, all secondary to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and he has been employed as a licensed vocational nurse throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral ankle condition due to lack of VA examination, and because there is evidence suggesting worsening of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand condition, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition. The cases are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, and no rating assigned.