Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right shoulder, ankle, knee, heart, and bilateral eye disorders, due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disorders, including PTSD, IBS, migraines, left knee disorder, and bilateral fibrocystic breast disease, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 7, 2011.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and remanded the cases of Left Knee Condition and Right Knee Condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues regarding hammer toes, bilateral is dismissed. The remaining issues are being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders and gastrointestinal disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his below the right knee amputation, finding that it was not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The need for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 20% from June 9, 2010 to December 20, 2017. From October 19, 2020, the rating is increased to 30%. A separate 20% rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage was granted starting August 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and a need for clarification on whether or not the Veteran has a right knee meniscus tear, its etiology, and if it is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the established schedular criteria adequately address the severity and symptoms of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including his left knee, spine, and bilateral hip disorders.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the hips, legs, and knees was granted. The issues of service connection for other joints were also remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a total left knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition prior to March 29, 2021 and denied any increase in rating beginning from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his left ankle disability, bilateral knee condition, and vascular condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at the highest schedular rating available (40%) from October 8, 2020. The left knee disability remains rated at the highest schedular rating available without violating the amputation rule. TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically lacking information on pain levels during range of motion testing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and fallopian tube disability, including infertility. The evidence did not show a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The rating for his total left knee replacement is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injuries and his current condition.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions due to lack of medical evidence linking them to service.