Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for B cell lymphoma, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, right hip disability, and chronic low back disability with degenerative joint disease due to secondary service-connected left hip disability. The VA is required to obtain Social Security Administration records and provide additional medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to incomplete VA medical opinion and need for additional private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the hepatitis claim. The left knee and back disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability did not begin during service and is not related to an in-service injury, thus denying service connection. The right leg disability issue was remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's chondromalacia left knee with medial meniscus tear is rated at 10 percent prior to February 27, 2020 and 20 percent thereafter. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee lateral instability was granted beginning February 27, 2020. The Veteran's dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion is rated at 20 percent effective February 27, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's STRs did not document any relevant symptoms or diagnoses related to his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding past severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent since December 9, 2019. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current symptoms and diagnostic codes available.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome are rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining treatment records and providing examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and his service-connected conditions. The Veteran contends that his altered gait from his service-connected conditions led to his hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones was denied in July 2015, and the claim has been reopened due to new evidence. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.,Service connection for IBS was granted in July 2015 with an effective date of November 19, 2014. The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date is dismissed as untimely.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot and knee disabilities, as well as a back disability. The VA examinations conducted in January 2020 were deemed insufficient due to their equivocal nature and failure to consider the Veteran's lay observations.

The Veteran's right knee strain with arthritis is rated at a separate initial 10 percent rating effective from May 21, 2014.,His claim for an initial compensable rating for right knee strain with arthritis prior to December 14, 2019, and thereafter, was denied. The case of service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee strain status post partial lateral meniscectomy, and right knee limited extension were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for left eye optic neuritis.

The Board has denied service connection for all of the claimed disabilities as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has previously remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia. The Veteran's appeal is being remanded again due to non-compliance with previous directives, including obtaining additional medical records.