Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied a separate rating for left knee instability after February 7, 2021, as the provisions of Diagnostic Code 5055 do not allow for such a rating when total knee replacement is already assigned.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for lower back disability was granted. His claims for increased ratings and separate ratings for knee subluxation or instability were also granted, but the issue of service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, hypothyroidism, back disability, right arm disorder, left arm disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established service connection for these conditions based on exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for right knee limitation of flexion and extension are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostatitis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and right knee condition are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder) as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee strain were denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms more closely approximated flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, even during flare-ups.,VA examinations conducted in October 2016 and July 2020 found no significant functional loss or range of motion impairment due to pain or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, lateral meniscus tear and chondromalacia of the patella. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective August 9, 2016. The Board has determined that a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee strain with osteoarthritis is warranted due to worsening since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete development. The Veteran's records, including imaging studies and community care records, need to be associated with the file.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cephalgia (headaches), thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral leg disability, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for a spine disability, right hip and left hip, as well as left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims for sinus headaches were also denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions on appeal.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for readjudication based on additional VA medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 27, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right foot degenerative arthritis, and hypertension. The Veteran's conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's initial and increased evaluations for right knee degenerative arthritis with Baker's cyst status post right meniscal tear repair, as well as his lumbar spine disability evaluation prior to October 17, 2020, were denied. For the period beginning March 20, 2009, a higher evaluation of 10 percent for right knee instability was granted.