Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hand disability, right knee and hip disabilities, back disability, and neurological disabilities of the lower extremities. The Veteran's left buttock shrapnel wound claim is denied as there is no current disability. His PTSD remains at 50 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right hip bursitis/pain, L4 compression fracture/back pain, a left knee condition, left hip pain, a right knee condition, a left foot condition, and a right foot condition due to lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-V.,Claims for right and left knee disabilities are also denied, as the evidence does not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. His right knee instability is rated at 20 percent prior to February 26, 2020 and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain, limitation of flexion and extension were denied. The highest rating assigned was 10 percent for limitation of flexion from February 25, 2008 to May 17, 2021.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD and fibromyalgia is granted effective February 23, 2011. The claims for increased evaluations of hemorrhoids, fibromyalgia, and PTSD are withdrawn. Service connection for vertigo, arthralgia, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bruxism, IBS, GERD, and rectal sphincter impairment is remanded.

The Veteran's kidney disease, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee strain and service connection for his low back injury/pain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 20% rating from March 5, 2012 forward. Service connection for erectile dysfunction was also granted on the basis of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and osteoarthritis, as well as right knee limitation of extension due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide information about his treatment providers and any outstanding records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, GERD, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to inadequate reasons and bases in previous decisions. The issues are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as the residuals of a meniscectomy with Baker's cyst, is rated at 20 percent from May 8, 2009 to September 30, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a right leg and/or knee condition, as it is not clear if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding no in-service injury or disease and no continuous symptoms since service. The Veteran's left knee disability was not found to cause or aggravate his right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for left below-the-knee amputation remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his bilateral elbow disability, hypertension, respiratory disorder (including asthma, chronic bronchitis, or COPD), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea. The case will be remanded to obtain VA medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an adequate VA medical examination and opinions regarding his right knee condition, including whether it is related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees, as well as his tension headaches, have been granted increased ratings. The left knee was rated at 10 percent effective April 1, 2008, with a higher rating denied. The right knee was also rated at 10 percent effective April 1, 2008, but the Veteran's claim for a higher rating is still pending. The tension headaches were granted a 30 percent rating effective April 1, 2008.