Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 40 percent from January 30, 2020 and denied for prior to that date. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that these ratings do not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's neck condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use over time.,For his right knee condition, the Veteran was previously denied a separate rating for meniscal disabilities. The Board now remands this issue for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ulcer disability is being remanded due to new and material evidence. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for right elbow and knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and right knee osteoarthritis were granted. The claims for hypertension and diabetes were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's service connection claims due to conflicting information regarding his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since April 30, 2004. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The back disability was rated at 20 percent, the right knee disability at 10 percent, and the left shoulder disability at 20 percent from December 2, 2018. Headaches were not rated as compensable prior to January 31, 2020, but a rating of 30 percent was granted thereafter. TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, and pes planus due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and left shoulder condition due to insufficient medical opinions addressing their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including recurrent subluxation and patellar instability, are rated at 30 percent each. His right eye corneal scars/opacities with conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome prior to February 13, 2020, is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities as secondary to bilateral pes planus, and for a low back disability as secondary to bilateral pes planus. The claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied. Service connection for a respiratory disability is reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims due to unclear medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine and left knee disorders are related to service. Clarification is needed from VA clinicians.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, medial and lateral meniscal tears, and residuals of anterior cruciate ligament tear, as well as left knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of continuous bilateral knee symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability within one year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The left knee DJD and right knee recurrent subluxation are rated at 10% and 30%, respectively, while the left knee lateral instability is rated at 20%. No new evidence was presented to reopen any previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 20 percent and 10 percent disabling, respectively. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.