Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations, and a new VA knee examination is required before the claim for an increased rating for right knee PFPS can be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen service connection claims for high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, basal cell carcinoma of the upper left back, right carotid artery stenosis, and a left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The evidence submitted did not provide new or relevant information that would support these claims.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted as service-connected. The issue of secondary service connection for persistent depressive disorder due to a service-connected shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of a medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee condition.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the November 2012 rating decision, which assigned a noncompensable rating for right knee chondromalacia. The decision is now reversed with an initial compensable rating of 10 percent effective August 31, 2012.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for urinary tract infections, bilateral foot disability claimed as plantar fasciitis, right knee strain secondary to her service-connected left knee disability, and lumbosacral strain secondary to her service-connected left knee disability. The appeals are all resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The claim for varicose veins other than a left varicocele is not being remanded as there is no new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 60 percent, the highest rating available under VA regulations. A higher rating is not warranted as no additional ratings are provided for his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have worsened, requiring him to use a cane and walker. The Board finds that a new examination is necessary due to the extent of treatment received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the character of the Appellant's discharge from active duty service needs to be determined, and thus remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee DJD with lateral instability and a TDIU claim due to deficiencies in the July 2021 VA examination, internal inconsistencies in the report, and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are related to service, and therefore remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various shoulder, knee, and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a total knee arthroplasty and meniscal cartilage issues, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the TKA residuals as of March 1, 2020, but granted separate ratings for the meniscus disability.

Service connection for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and obstructive sleep apnea degenerative joint disease is denied.,The Veteran's service records do not show any in-service events, injuries, or diseases that could have led to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically right and left patellofemoral pain syndrome with symptomatic chondromalacia of the patella and synovitis, have been rated at 20% for the right knee and 10% for the left knee. The Board denied higher ratings as his range of motion is not sufficient to warrant a higher rating under applicable codes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his representative, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.