Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and left leg disabilities due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran contends that he injured his knees and legs while playing basketball during service.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and right total knee replacement residuals. The maximum schedular ratings have been granted, but further review is needed to determine if additional benefits are warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a superimposed injury or disease during service that resulted in additional disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate evaluations were denied. The left wrist strain and scars are rated at 10 percent, while the left knee strain is rated at 10 percent with a separate rating of 10 percent for painful motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis, and patellofemoral syndrome. The issues of increased ratings for the lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthroplasty was rated at 30 percent prior to August 25, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating for this period.

The Board has determined that the current opinions provided by the November 2020 examiner are inadequate and requires further development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to his right ankle disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar-spine, cervical-spine, and left-knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disorders pre-existed service and were aggravated by in-service activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, which is claimed as related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for back and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, with a separate 20 percent rating for right knee locking and effusion suggestive of cartilage dislocation. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings based on instability or arthritis.

The Board has withdrawn the ratings for major depressive disorder, pes planus, anemia, chronic conjunctivitis, and allergic rhinitis. The claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints and left knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and above-the-knee left lower extremity amputation are service-connected. The Board granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery, and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right knee limitation of extension was denied. The claim for service connection for neck disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, as well as his increased rating claim for right knee arthritis, were denied. The TDIU claim was also denied.

Your appeal for a higher rating on your right knee arthritis has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient development and potential competency issues with the VA examiners.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied because he does not have service-connected left knee or back disabilities.