Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and neurological disability of the bilateral lower extremities due to service connection. The AOJ is required to secure addendum opinions addressing the Veteran's theories of exposure, including his in-service complaints of leg cramping in cold weather.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left and right knee arthritis as additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and conducting a physical examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities, left great toe disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), unspecified residuals of a car accident, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, congestive heart failure, and residuals of cat scratch fever have been granted. The claim for dental disability for compensation purposes remains denied.

The Veteran's right knee instability rating was reduced from 10% to 30%, effective December 21, 2015. The left knee extension limitation and instability ratings were granted at 40%. The Veteran's Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome increased rating claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of service treatment records, but with testimony indicating an in-service injury. A medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ankle disability are granted service connection. Service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied, but the Veteran's back disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings were denied. The left knee DJD was rated at 10%, the left knee instability at 10%, and the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis at 40% prior to September 6, 2016, and at 50% thereafter.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and total left knee arthroplasty are rated based on their respective conditions. The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus secondary to hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment outside of a protected work environment, thus qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and lumbar spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service aggravation of preexisting conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received for the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis of bilateral upper extremities, and osteoarthritis of bilateral lower extremities. The claims are therefore reopened. Further evaluation is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's left knee disability and skin disorder have been granted service connection.,However, the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an increase in PTSD with depression, earlier effective date for service connection, and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees are all remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ must obtain private treatment records from his mental health provider and arrange for a VA examination for his knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for award of a TDIU, and entitlement to TDIU is granted from November 1, 2019.

The Veteran's left knee flexion is not limited to 30 degrees or less, so the claim for a higher disability rating for left knee strain is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity neurological impairment (claimed as chronic pain syndrome), right and left knee disabilities, and erectile dysfunction due to issues with duty to assist.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right knee internal derangement with degenerative joint disease have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The Veteran is currently receiving the highest schedular rating for her left knee condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions, spinal disorders, knee and foot disabilities, hepatitis C, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and shoulder and elbow conditions. The evidence submitted did not provide new or relevant information to support these claims.

The Veteran's left ear scar is granted service connection, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not related to military service.,Service connection for a stomach condition is denied. The VA examiner found no chronic stomach disability and opined that any current stomach condition is less likely than not related to service.