Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to new VA medical records added after the August 2019 statement of the case. The Veteran and his representative will have an opportunity to respond with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for his left knee condition, finding no causal relationship to active service or secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for his left total knee replacement from October 1, 2018 forward.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for PFB was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition affected at least 5% of his entire body or exposed areas, nor did he take intermittent systemic or topical therapy.,Both knee issues were remanded due to lack of examination during a flare-up or repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the appropriate rating and whether his current disabilities are related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for back, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disorders as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis and PFS status post meniscectomy, sinusitis, GERD, and onychomycosis were all granted increased disability ratings. The highest rating available for the knee disabilities is 30 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability and PTSD have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since December 3, 2020. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's eczema (a skin disability) is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's limitation of flexion of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, which is also the maximum rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee disability and instability was denied. The Board found that the current evaluations met the criteria under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease with chondrocalcinosis and left ankle degenerative joint disease with calcaneal spur, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.,No new rating was assigned as the decision is solely on the issue of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient examination reports and failure to provide a retrospective medical opinion on range of motion and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, respiratory disability (bronchitis), and benign essential tremor due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia patella with meniscal tear, is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The appeal has been denied as the criteria for higher ratings are not met.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right and left knee conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's testimony and medical evidence regarding her use of a cane.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty or any other period of service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,The claim for a temporary total evaluation following July 2011 surgery on the right knee was also denied.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the left hand, cervical spine disorder, C5-C6 scarring (secondary to cervical spine disorder), right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing they were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Madelung deformity of the right wrist, plantar fasciitis, left foot, chondromalacia patella, right knee with degenerative arthritis, and residuals, left ankle sprain.