Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10% prior to January 8, 2020 and 10% after that date. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic right knee strain and for a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because there is insufficient evidence or need for further development.

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are productive of painful motion, warranting a 10 percent rating. The appeal is REMANDED for further examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and for an opinion on the etiology of any left foot impairment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and evidence review. The rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, status post bowel resection, left below the knee amputation, and depression due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities contribute in substantial part to a vocational impairment, and he has not overcome the effects of such impairment. The criteria for a determination that the Veteran has an employment handicap for VR&E benefits purposes have been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient development and consideration of evidence, including a lack of nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for disability of the thoracolumbar spine and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's hip and knee conditions are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,His shoulder condition is also being remanded, with a focus on the relationship to his arm numbness.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and left hip disability. The decision also noted that the claim of service connection for a left hip disability as secondary to a left knee disability lacks legal merit.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The low back disability claim is remanded due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence and need for updated treatment records, as well as for a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder to include arthritis is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current condition and service. The case will be returned for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip arthroplasty, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees due to inadequate previous VA examination findings. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee prior to August 30, 2010.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service connected. The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further examination.