Knee Board decisions

The reduction in the schedular rating for left knee limited extension with degenerative arthritis from 20% to 10% was improper and has been restored.,The severance/discontinuance of a separate 10% rating for left thigh limitation of flexion with osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the left hip was improper and has been restored.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were reinstated effective October 8, 2015.

The Veteran's previous ratings for left knee instability and arthritis with limitation of extension were restored due to the improper reduction in rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for another medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in verifying his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports, incomplete medical records, and procedural issues.,VA will attempt to obtain additional medical records from private providers and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and she is now receiving a separate rating for right knee subluxation. The right knee tear posterior horn medial meniscus with associated meniscal cyst and strain are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for left knee strain and left superior and inferior pubic ramus fracture have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in December 2023.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's representative did not receive a timely copy of the March 2020 Statement of the Case (SOC) concerning the earlier effective date claims for various conditions. The appeals are being remanded to issue a SOC on these issues.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is dismissed. The remaining issues, including increased rating for right ankle disability and service connection for left and right knee disabilities, are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach condition, sleep disorder, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and shin splints. The reasons given were that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied because he failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination without showing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim as it is inextricably intertwined with his knee disability claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a heat stroke, to include memory loss is denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for left knee numbness needs further development and remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and denied service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for left knee degenerative joint disease and a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability. The Veteran's tarsal tunnel syndrome of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, while his right lower extremity condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a TDIU due to insufficient information on the Veteran's employability and service-connected disorders. The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated employment information, schedule the Veteran for a new examination by an appropriate clinician regarding his ability to work, and re-adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a separate rating of 20 percent for a meniscus condition, while his left and right knees were denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD was granted, and separate ratings were granted for the right knee disability with painful motion and degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's left knee condition was granted a compensable rating from June 27, 2014 to April 20, 2023 for limitation of extension.,The Veteran's right knee condition was granted a compensable rating from June 27, 2014 to May 4, 2023 for limitation of extension. After that date, the Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent.