Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right knee and left knee conditions have been rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 60 percent granted for his total knee replacements. Separate ratings were assigned for meniscal conditions in different time periods.

The Veteran's back disability, disabilities of the knees, bilateral pes planus, and acquired psychiatric disability are granted with a 70% rating. The appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for shoulders.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have not resulted in ankylosis, dislocated or removed meniscus, flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, extension functionally limited to 5 degrees or more, impairment of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. As such, higher ratings for his left knee chondromalacia and right knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder injuries. The claims of service connection for a left knee injury and bilateral feet urticaria are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain and her claimed left knee disability. The Veteran will need a new VA opinion to address whether her left knee disability is at least as likely as not related to, proximately due to, or aggravated by her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his right knee residual scar is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, including his right knee residual scar.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions did not worsen during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, bilateral knee disability, left wrist arthritis, lower back pain, right leg limp, and right shoulder pain. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded two issues: evaluating the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left hip disabilities. The VA examinations are considered inadequate due to internal inconsistencies, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly associated evidence and a need for further review of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's left knee disability to his service. The Veteran's private opinions suggest a connection, but they are based on an incorrect premise of 20 years of service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and the increased disability rating claim for right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right knee limitations has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and thus is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for major depression. The issues of service connection and increased rating for knee and hip disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his upper extremity and spine disabilities. The decision also notes that the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's knee disorder and his statements about in-service treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right hip, left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg length discrepancy and its superimposed conditions (Lumbar Spine Condition, Right Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis of Left Knee) is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lumbar Spine Condition is also being remanded.