Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right knee disorders, as well as a TDIU from August 19, 2008, to December 8, 2014, and another TDIU from December 8, 2014, to May 1, 2018, was denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability, meniscal injury with joint pain, and limitation of flexion, is rated at 30 percent over the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and missing treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disorder needs further evaluation by a medical professional.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability has been denied. He is currently receiving a 10 percent rating for painful limitation of flexion and a separate 10 percent rating for instability, both effective June 13, 2005.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety, including for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo medical evaluations for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's chronic sinus disorder is currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder remains remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right knee flexion and extension, as well as his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee Osgood-Schlatter disease is rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, and his claims for service connection of sinusitis, headaches, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU from February 25, 2008 due to the appellant's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to his cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are also being remanded as VA examinations were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions from previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and post-surgical status.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the right knee, left knee, and back disability issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral knee condition is granted as his current diagnosis of bilateral knee strain and osteoarthritis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations, with the highest rating granted for limitation of extension in the right knee from September 6, 2017 to January 30, 2018. Other conditions were also addressed individually.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected hypertension and ED are not service connected. The RO is instructed to obtain medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were incurred in service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted a TDIU from April 25, 2013, based on his service-connected disabilities.