Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for a left shoulder disorder and increased evaluations for cervical spine strain, right knee torn meniscus, right knee strain with internal derangement, limited extension in the right knee, and temporary total disability evaluation due to surgery for a left shoulder disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with a prior remand directive. The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is being reviewed again for service connection, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his right knee disability and his left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he has been employed as a commercial delivery truck driver for several years.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease resulted in limited flexion and extension, which was granted a disability rating of 20 percent prior to May 6, 2011. From May 6, 2011, the rating remained at 20 percent for limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's left knee DJD with decreased range of motion and status post cruciate ligament repair with patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted a 20% rating since May 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete compliance with a previous remand. The Veteran's in-service jeep accident is considered established.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left elbow disability, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he did not provide the required VA Form 21-8940, and there is no evidence showing that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and reasoning in a previous opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for further evaluation as the VA examination report was found to be of limited probative value due to a lack of discussion on in-service complaints.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected Reiter’s syndrome and its residuals, including chronic joint symptoms and non-orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement disability is rated at 60 percent effective January 1, 2019. The Board has also granted a TDIU from the same date. However, the case is remanded for further action regarding an earlier effective date for the TDIU.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for tension headaches, but the cases of right knee disability and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. For the right shoulder disability, no higher evaluation was granted due to lack of limitation of motion midway between side and shoulder level. For the bilateral knee disabilities, no higher evaluation was granted due to lack of flexion or extension limitations. The left shoulder condition was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 30% rating as of April 13, 2016. The right elbow, left knee, right ankle, left wrist, and right wrist conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The cases are being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg and knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic and ocular conditions, as well as COPD or other pulmonary disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated based on the severity of their symptoms and impairment. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly rate these conditions.