Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back disability and right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current functional impairment during flare-ups, with weight-bearing and without weight-bearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right shoulder disorder, and skin disorder due to a lack of relevant service treatment records. The Veteran testified that his injuries occurred during service while carrying a casket.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the June 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a retrospective addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment starting September 1, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn.,The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided with VA examinations to assess his current disabilities, including residuals of right orbital floor fracture, left elbow disability, right ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate range of motion testing in prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria and he was gainfully employed throughout the relevant period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left leg numbness due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination. The Veteran is still in receipt of a 20 percent rating for his left knee impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected diverticulitis, left knee osteoarthritis (status post ACL repair), and incisional hernia have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time during the period under review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and disc disease (low back disability), left shoulder disability, and left leg/hip disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her total right knee replacement was denied, and she is currently receiving a 60 percent evaluation. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee from April 1, 2013 has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his back and right knee disabilities, including range of motion findings and any functional impairment due to flares.

The Veteran's right knee instability with muscle atrophy is granted a 30 percent rating prior to January 8, 2021. A higher rating for the period beginning January 8, 2021 is denied. The Veteran is granted SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound. TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder diagnosed as insomnia has been granted.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claims of cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral eye disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's left knee scar is granted a 10% rating, but no higher. The initial rating for tinnitus remains at 10%. An effective date prior to August 11, 2015 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.,Multiple issues remain unresolved and are being remanded by the Board.