Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder is granted. The effective date of the increased rating for intervertebral disc disease with sciatic nerve involvement is set at November 21, 2012, when the Veteran filed her claim. The issue regarding an earlier effective date for the back disability remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis has been manifested by painful motion with flexion limited to no less than 70 degrees and extension limited to no greater than 10 degrees throughout the appeal period. The Board denied a higher rating as his disability picture does not meet the criteria for entitlement to ratings higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and the need for a new opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's DJD did not manifest within a year of discharge and was not related to his in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, right hip, left hip, right shoulder, and right elbow conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, left index finger disability, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left knee post-TKR disability is rated at a maximum of 60 percent from April 28, 2014 to August 19, 2014. Ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to April 28, 2014 and from October 1, 2015 are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective February 22, 2021. The other claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder, back disorder, frostbite residuals of the hands and feet, and vertigo.,There is no indication that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that his preexisting conditions clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and were not aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating, and TDIU due to additional relevant VA clinical documentation submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10% for flexion and extension issues, with a separate rating of 10% for instability. The right knee service connection claim was remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The lumbar spine disability is granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective April 2, 2019. The left hip strain and left knee condition are each granted a 10 percent rating effective April 2, 2019.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition and remanded it for further development. The TDIU claim prior to September 18, 2017 is also being referred to the Compensation Service Director for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a failure to discuss whether the Veteran's shoulder bursitis qualifies as a medically unexplained chronic multisymptomatic illness (MUCMI). The case is now pending for further examination and review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the preexisting conditions did not increase in severity beyond their natural progression during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for fibromyalgia due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or another medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI).

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee disability with patellar subluxation is denied. A separate 40 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension as of February 5, 2019, and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage are granted.