Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as GERD with hiatal hernia, gastritis, colon polyp and diverticulosis, was granted effective May 14, 2013. The Veteran appealed the assigned ratings.,An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound basis is denied as he does not have any disability rated at 100 percent disabling, including a single disability on which total disability rating (TDIU) may be based.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, bilateral ankle conditions as there is no competent evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or are otherwise related to his military service.

Service connection is granted for arthritis, right knee. Service connection for skin disorder (to include as residuals of a cold weather injury) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for a right rib fracture, service connection for hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, a right hip disability, and left hip disability have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for neck, right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and incomplete evidence. The left knee, TBI, and narcolepsy cases require additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in the VA examination and changes in rating criteria. The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including chronic infra-patellar tendonitis and a left knee disability with instability, are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for left knee disorder and lower back disorder.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities, as the VA examinations conducted did not include both weight bearing and non-weight bearing range of motion assessments. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain these evaluations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection on appeal must be remanded due to a lack of VA examinations and development. The claims include bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot disorder, left shoulder disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (initially claimed as anxiety and/or depression), left eye disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for migraines and left knee disorder, so the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The claims for asthma, back condition, and bilateral knee condition are remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 21, 2020. From that date forward, they are each rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left knee condition and cervical spine condition have not been evaluated by VA since the rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus, fibromyalgia, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right shoulder strain with pain, left shoulder strain with pain, right knee strain with pain, and right hip strain with pain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder has also been granted an increased rating to 100 percent from March 7, 2015 to September 23, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to an inaccurate factual basis in a previous opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left knee chondromalacia patella, but the examiner will need to determine if these conditions clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service.

Service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a neck disorder and a back disorder due to potential service causation or aggravation.