Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for arthritis of the left knee and chondromalacia of the right knee have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and sciatica due to inadequate VA medical opinions in previous remands.

Right knee chondromalacia and left knee chondromalacia have been granted service connection.,Bilateral pes planus has been granted service connection based on aggravation during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that prior to March 31, 2006, his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining retrospective range of motion assessments and explaining why such assessments are not feasible. The issues include increased ratings for right knee extension and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his initial disability rating for renal insufficiency is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records related to his kidney condition.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective January 7, 2013 is granted. The Board also found that his TDIU claim was mooted due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and arthritis, as well as right hip strain with arthritis, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The VA examiner provided opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar I disorder and cyclothymic disorder) alone supports a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability, combined with other disabilities rated at least 60 percent.

The Veteran's left foot trauma is granted as service-connected, with the condition being at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for right knee trauma is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and further review of the Veteran's claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's representative requested withdrawal of all appealed issues prior to the promulgation of a decision by the Board, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was denied. The right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, with no evidence of marked interference with employment or exceptional circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various lower limb conditions due to inadequate medical opinions and further examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndromes are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for both knees, but remanded the issues of whether higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is granted a 60% rating as of November 5, 2020. His hearing loss and scars are denied higher ratings. The Veteran's CAD remains at a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for patellofemoral syndrome of both knees and blurred vision. The remaining claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, so they are ineligible for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.