Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's right knee instability and meniscal tear have been granted ratings, with the meniscal tear receiving a higher rating due to frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion. The left knee instability has also been granted a rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders are granted service connection.,The Veteran's right foot skin disorder and left foot skin disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee instability was granted a separate 20 percent rating, effective from April 17, 2012. The issue of increased rating for limitation of motion remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left knee strain due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's service-connected left patellar fracture and patellar instability have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee limitation of extension has been granted, but at a noncompensable level.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depression is granted a 70 percent rating prior to December 14, 2010 and from December 14, 2010 to March 18, 2018. Service connection for Peyronie's disease and Left knee disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, type II as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused the current conditions.,There were no service treatment records available to establish an in-service incident. The Veteran's lay statements about his knee injury during service were not credible due to inconsistencies with other medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathies, have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome (lateral instability), and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to inadequate examinations conducted in August 2010, September 2011, April 2012, and January 2016. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to address the frequency, duration, characteristics, severity, and functional loss during flare-ups of his disabilities.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for the issue of an effective date prior to April 17, 2015 for the 50 percent rating assigned for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The issues of increased ratings for costochondritis and knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and a meniscus condition, is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings of 10 percent for arthritis and 20 percent for the meniscus condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent since August 1, 2011. He also received a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims, and a new examination is needed to determine if any left ankle disability is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disability began in or was otherwise caused by his fall from scaffolding during active-duty training in Wyoming. Service connection will be decided based on the evidence and findings of this examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of anxiety disorder and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee prior to specific dates have been remanded due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right knee arthroplasty prior to and after August 9, 2021 was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 60% is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD), right foot disability, left foot disability, heart disability, and pulmonary embolism are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection of the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the September 2021 VA examination report, specifically regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time. The claim will be readjudicated following the additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right knee injury and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case requires further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations.