Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reports of left ankle, left knee and right knee symptoms during service are credible. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations to address the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,An effective date earlier than April 25, 2013, is denied for the awards of service connection for right knee tendonitis and thoracolumbar sprain.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities.,Service connection is denied for lipoma, sarcoidosis, and COPD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right knee, right foot, and scar disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection, rating increases, and TDIU are being returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, hypertension, and/or PTSD.

The Veteran's low back and right hip disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is granted a separate rating for limitation of extension, but not for flexion.

The Veteran was awarded TDIU benefits starting from February 4, 2009 due to his service-connected PTSD and right knee disability. The Board found the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment during this period.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, currently manifested by paranoid schizophrenia with secondary alcohol dependence, is granted.,The claims of service connection for both eyes (vision problems) (now claimed as eye condition), right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are remanded due to the need for further evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and bilateral shin splints have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus preexisted his active duty service and was not aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and left knee disability due to pending higher-level review requests.

An increased rating of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder and adjustment disorder is granted effective April 1, 2015.,An increased rating of 100 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder and adjustment disorder is granted effective March 13, 2016.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability is denied.,A separate initial rating of 10 percent for painful left knee limitation of motion is granted effective April 1, 2015.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective October 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for further action on several issues, including increased ratings for her acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee instability, and limitation of motion. The cartilage condition of the left knee received a 10% disability rating effective August 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The issues will be addressed again after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and a meniscal tear, is rated at 20 percent from March 10, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain residuals and arthritis, as well as his claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The cases of left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee instability associated with right knee degenerative disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease based on limited flexion are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including service connection for a right hip disability and increased ratings for left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of testicle surgery. Additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disability.