Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for right knee pain, left knee pain, and neck pain as these conditions are not related to the Veteran's active military service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and the in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in denying service connection for a left knee condition and because of new evidence that may support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his knee disabilities, low back disability, or sciatica.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or improper medical opinions in previous examinations. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left and right knee strains have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for the right knee disability, but denied for the left elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee medial meniscal tear (claimed as secondary to left patellofemoral pain syndrome), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left patellofemoral pain syndrome due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition and a right knee condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and headaches due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's sinus headaches are being remanded for further evaluation. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, status post septoplasty, and denied higher ratings. TDIU is granted beginning April 6, 2012.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will remand the left knee and left ankle service connection claims for further development.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance on a static/recurring basis for his left leg prosthesis was denied as he must now apply annually, due to the change in VHA policy.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities such as feeding, dressing, bathing, and attending to personal hygiene needs. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since April 24, 2017. The Board is remanding the case to consider whether a higher rating of 70% is warranted as of April 24, 2018.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for urinary tract disorder, left foot injury, and right foot injury. The remaining issues of service connection for shoulder disorders, knee disorder, plantar fasciitis, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates prior to July 15, 2013, were denied as the evidence did not show that increases in disability occurred prior to this date. The right knee scar was rated compensable but no higher, while the lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and RLE radiculopathy received increased ratings effective July 15, 2013.