Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee disability is denied, but the Board grants a separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine DDD, right knee DJD, and lumbar spine DDD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is not granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for genital warts was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence, thus denying the reopening of this claim. Other claims were remanded due to insufficient treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the periods from May 31, 2011, to January 29, 2014, and from March 2, 2015 forward due to insufficient evidence showing he is incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings on several service-connected conditions, including a right knee scar and back disability, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination. The TDIU claim from November 19, 2008, to October 22, 2009, is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, are related to her military service and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for low back disability, bilateral foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and allergic rhinitis remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to lack of credible evidence linking the conditions to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including bilateral eye condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, lumbosacral spine condition, cervical spine condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The VA is required to provide additional examinations or opinions that address the lay evidence of record and provide rationale for any conclusions reached.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died during the pendency of his claims, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury and is more likely due to natural aging.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as right joint osteoarthritis with effusion, was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence establishing a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of his bilateral foot disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder as he did not timely file a VA Form 10182 to seek further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim that the August 6, 2014 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The correct combined rating of 40 percent for service-connected osteoarthritis, right knee was calculated based on VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain, left knee strain, and multiple joint manifestations of sarcoidosis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Veteran's cellulitis of the right knee and bilateral blepharitis are remanded for further examination to determine their nature, etiology, and dates of initial onset. The AOJ must readjudicate these issues after obtaining the necessary medical opinions.