Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's AC DJD of the right shoulder was rated at 20 percent prior to June 16, 2016 and at 30 percent since that date. The claims for higher ratings are being remanded.,His recurrent corneal erosion syndrome is not compensable.

Service connection for painful joints of the bilateral hips and knees is granted. Additional compensation due to dependent spouse from January 1, 2011 to August 31, 2013 is granted. Additional compensation due to dependent spouse from September 1, 2013 to July 31, 2019 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left foot hallux valgus (bunions), and left ankle disability have been granted service connection.,Reasoning: The evidence shows that the Veteran had in-service injuries or diseases resulting in current disabilities, and there is no evidence of pre-existing conditions. All reasonable doubts are resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, left knee condition, and asthma have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, granting the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disorder, epididymitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.,The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, granting the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disorder, epididymitis, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for cold weather injury of the hands, knees, and feet, to include gout, advanced degenerative changes, and cryopathy. The Veteran's depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected cold weather injury.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis need to be remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for obstructive sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's baseline pre-aggravation level of severity was 50 percent, which must be deducted from any rating assigned due to his service-connected sinusitis. As such, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for sleep apnea and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain.

The Board has granted service connection for neck disability, lower back disability, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and bilateral first cuneiform metatarsal joint arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, right arm, and left hip disabilities due to incomplete STRs and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration due to inconsistencies in his statements regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and ratings, effective from the date of the July 2016 phone call.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and partial medial meniscectomy, is rated at 20 percent effective September 15, 2010.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of right femur fracture and entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of left knee is REMANDED.

The Veteran's initial service connection for bilateral knees was granted at a 10% rating effective April 13, 2012. The RO denied increased ratings in August 2020, and the Board remanded the claims to provide an adequate examination. After an October 2019 VA examination, the RO again denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's left foot, right knee, and left ankle conditions are granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions secondary to her service-connected right foot and/or left knee conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, rated under Diagnostic Codes 5010-5260, is currently rated at 40 percent from August 30, 2012, to July 31, 2014.,From October 1, 2014, to February 18, 2016, the Veteran's right knee lost flexion is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his left knee scar prior to February 4, 2014, but granted a separate 10 percent rating from June 6, 2016, through May 5, 2017, and extended this rating forward to the present. The Veteran's hypertension was also found not to meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.