Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with painful limitation of motion and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee meniscal condition, both beginning January 16, 2019. The Veteran's current status regarding his right knee meniscus needs to be clarified.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing VA treatment records and other factors.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and back disabilities due to secondary service-connected bilateral hip, left knee, and left ankle disabilities. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing continuity of symptomatology and causation/aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, and it remains in appellate status. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent due to painful motion with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,There is no evidence of any diagnosed conditions related to these issues during or after the appeal period.

The Veteran is granted earlier effective dates of June 6, 2017 for both TDIU and bipolar disorder (formerly MDD). The decision also grants the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition and remanded the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a congenital bilateral knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for patella chondromalacia and internal derangement of the left knee, and for patella chondromalacia and strain of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete examinations and need for additional information.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including symptoms of instability and pain, is currently rated at 20 percent effective March 16, 2014. The rating reflects the severity of his condition based on Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and radiation proctitis with fecal urgency. The effective date issue remains unresolved as it is factually ascertainable that the onset of symptoms occurred within one year of an increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal regarding increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as additional ratings for knee extension disabilities, are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all rated prior to April 28, 2021, but a TDIU is granted effective that date.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and personality disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,The appeals for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia and right hand minimal motor and mild sensory loss have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied due to his service-connected disabilities not contributing in a significant way to his vocational impairment. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of the Veteran's current symptomatology related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and need for a retroactive opinion.