Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD, left knee meniscal tear, and cervical spine disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left leg below-the-knee amputation surgery due to a lack of substantial compliance with its July 2020 remand directive and deficiencies in the September 2020 VA opinion.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, disability ratings, and TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The issues include obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar stenosis, right knee sciatic radulopathy, left knee sciatic radulopathy, and TDIU prior to October 3, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and TDIU for right and left total knee replacements due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's bilateral great toe disability, right meniscus disability, and right knee degenerative joint disease are service-connected. The Veteran's right knee replacement with residuals is rated at the highest available rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied a higher rating for left knee replacement scars, finding that the scars were neither painful nor unstable and did not cover an area of 39 square centimeters or more.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea, low back condition, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis status post total knee replacement, and bilateral hearing loss. The VA needs to obtain additional examinations and provide adequate rationale for their conclusions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and failure to address his contentions regarding chronic pain. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of knee conditions due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient information regarding flare-ups of the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI, depressive disorder, headaches, and tinnitus. Other service connection claims are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's right knee brace and TENS unit, used for his service-connected disabilities, caused wear and tear to his clothing. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for the year 2017 based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities, particularly the relationship between his left and right knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral knee condition, and bilateral hip condition due to inadequate examinations and lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10%, and the right knee disability is rated at 30%. The appeal for higher ratings on both knees, as well as sleep apnea and rib fracture are pending. The thoracolumbar spine disability also requires further review.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back condition and bilateral knee conditions, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20% from September 26, 2012 to June 12, 2019 and denied a higher rating.,From June 13, 2019 until the present, the Veteran's right knee disability was also rated at 20% and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development, including missing notification letters regarding VA examinations. The issues include diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and readjudication.