Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral and sciatic nerves), left knee ligamentous strain, left knee lateral instability, and left knee ligamentous strain with limitation of extension.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, finding that his range of motion did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of flexion or extension.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder and degenerative joint disease did not have its onset in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to incomplete records and non-compliance with the Board's previous directives.

The Veteran's ratings for right and left knee disabilities were restored to 20 percent, effective September 1, 2017.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for an addendum VA examination and review of the Veteran's treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee condition, characterized by severe flare-ups resulting in limitation of extension, is now rated at 20 percent effective from the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding aggravation of left knee arthritis by service-connected right knee disability. A new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's dermatographism is rated at a maximum of 60 percent since December 23, 2019.,A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability throughout the initial claims period is granted.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected T12 compression fracture. The Veteran's left mandible fracture, chin and neck scar, status post T12 compression fracture, left sciatic nerve paralysis, right index finger shrapnel injury, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral toenail fungus, and bilateral hearing loss are all denied or granted with specific ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right leg BKA and right knee disability are currently rated, but the appeal is remanded for further development.,Left ankle degenerative changes with sprains have been assigned a 10% rating, but the effective date of this rating needs to be determined.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding her employment history. The AOJ needs to obtain a Social Security Administration earnings statement and any related records.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, as the evidence does not show that they meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right and left thumb disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, as the evidence does not show that they meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative joint disease. The claims for left and right knee disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU prior to May 25, 2017 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not precluding substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee has been granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective March 31, 2008, for service-connected right knee locking and effusion.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a left knee disability has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal. The issues of service connection for a left hip disability and an increased rating for back disability are remanded.