Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documentation related to a clothing allowance for a service-connected knee disability. The AOJ needs to reconstruct and upload all relevant records.

The Veteran's initial claim for a scar of the head was denied as his single scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for residuals of TBI and right knee condition were both denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or illness. Service connection for left knee condition, migraine headaches, and pulmonary condition were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, SMC, and adaptive equipment due to a failure of the Veteran to attend a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his claims. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining the requested VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidentiary development regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions and update the Veteran's VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee strain, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues, including reopening of claims for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities. The effective dates for the awards are not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as these issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding whether his exostosis and related disabilities were incurred in service or pre-existed. The case will be further developed with a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected skin conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, considering his education and experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a disability rating greater than 10 percent for either limitation of flexion or lateral instability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied an initial compensable rating. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its secondary nature.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to left knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction residuals and right knee degenerative joint disease because service connection was awarded in an August 2020 rating decision. The tinnitus claim is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities because he did not complete and submit the necessary application form, and there was no evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues related to left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. He is satisfied with the current ratings assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete development of records from his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the left knee disability including due to undiagnosed illness, leaving only the claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-arthroplasty and pre-arthroplasty conditions, is rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2009. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to July 1, 2017, remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. Service connection was denied for right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease are related to his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions. The issues of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, specifically left and right patellofemoral syndrome, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied higher ratings for both knees, but granted separate ratings of 20 percent under DC 5261 for limitation of extension since May 26, 2020.