Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and back conditions, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports these claims. The Board determined that there is a reasonable possibility that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for cervical strain, bilateral knee disabilities, and migraines before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his heart condition and lower extremity neuropathies, have resulted in a loss of use of one or more extremities that precludes locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings of mood disorder, right knee instability, and lumbosacral strain as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to ensure due process and to obtain a complete record for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his right knee instability and limitation of motion, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right great toe fracture and right knee degenerative arthritis have been granted. The claim for bilateral foot disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings for knee disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, the thoracolumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent, and both knee disabilities received separate compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection was remanded due to incomplete or unclear evidence, particularly regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and any new claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee arthritis is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of his May/June 2020 left total knee replacement and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, specifically requesting an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee DJD is at least as likely as not proximately due to her service-connected right knee DJD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and instability, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities. Service connection for low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome and musculoligamentous strain with DJD, manifested by LOM, has been characterized by pain and stiffness. The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on four separate conditions due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and the need to elicit information regarding flare-ups of the Veteran's right ankle and left knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and right knee disabilities as well as hypertension due to incomplete examination reports and the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, initial rating for service-connected headaches, compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and increased ratings for service-connected chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the entire appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition secondary to his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded for further development, including an examination and etiology opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, with a noncompensable rating assigned for ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb sprain.