Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left shoulder strain was granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent effective October 12, 2017.,For the increased rating period from October 12, 2017, both right and left knee strains were granted a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, requiring further evidence and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right leg condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD with major depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral shoulder disability, left ankle disability, left hand disability, right elbow disability, and neck/upper back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee instability, finding that the Veteran's credible reports of her knee giving out and need to use a cane for balance are sufficient evidence to warrant this grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's left knee pain with patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to perform daily activities without assistance due to his multiple conditions.

An earlier effective date of October 31, 2019, is granted for the Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was granted, with a rating of 40 percent. The claims for increased ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, which are secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as all granted issues have an effective date of May 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and left knee disorders due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee strain, back condition, and left hip condition are secondary to his service-connected right knee replacement. The claims for these conditions have been remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee pain status post-replacement and associated peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are granted with specific ratings. Parkinson's disease is also granted as due to herbicide exposure, but service connection for IBS and colitis remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that his service-connected conditions rendered him unemployable prior to September 23, 2016.

Effective dates for service connection granted for right hip osteoarthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis have been set as of July 12, 2018. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination reports addressing flare-ups of symptoms. The Veteran's current disability ratings are denied as there is no evidence of a right shoulder disability related to active service, and his left and right knee disabilities do not warrant higher ratings.

The Board has restored the 30 percent rating for limitation of flexion/extension, left knee osteoarthritis due to a reduction in rating from 30 to 10 percent being improper.