Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims. Therefore, an additional remand is necessary to obtain new examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle recurrent sprains and calcification or ossification adjacent to the medial malleolus, as well as degenerative arthritis of both the right and left knees, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or aggravated by service, and no presumption of service connection could be applied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to September 4, 2013, for right and left knee medial meniscus tears. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as there are insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected major depressive disorder, left ankle degenerative joint disease, and left knee status post anterior cruciate ligament repair.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and patellofemoral syndrome of the knees were granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such an increase based on limitation of motion. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability, lost flexion, and skin disability of the hands and feet are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of flexion due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs an addendum medical opinion addressing the deficiencies in these examinations.

The Veteran's increased ratings for postoperative residuals of anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee and chondromalacia, right knee have been denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, patella chondromalacia of right knee and left knee, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

Service connection for OSA is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD and bronchitis. A higher rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals regarding right and left knee disabilities have been withdrawn, resulting in their dismissal.,The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right and left foot hallux valgus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to outstanding claims of service connection and incomplete SSA records. The Veteran's representative submitted additional medical evidence that could impact the TDIU determination, so these issues must be addressed prior to further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knees have been granted, with separate ratings of 20% each prior to May 10, 2011 (left knee) and May 4, 2019 (right knee). A separate 10% rating has also been granted for slight lateral instability of the right knee. The Veteran's knees have also manifested joint effusion from meniscus tears throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia were denied, as well as her claim for TDIU prior to August 12, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.