Knee Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions of the ratings for right and left knee instability. The claims for higher evaluations for bilateral knee arthritis are remanded due to a duty to assist error, and the claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee injury, left knee injury, and left ankle injury due to incomplete STRs and potential errors in the Veteran's dates of active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these issues by his attorney.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the VA Forms 10182 filed with the Board were not valid under the AMA system, and thus the issues raised could not be decided.

The Veteran's left knee extension and prostate condition have been granted effective as of November 18, 2016. The Veteran's left knee scar has an effective date of January 2018. Increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of increased disability evaluations for his left ear hearing loss and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and popliteal cyst, as well as service connection for left chronic epididymitis with hypogonadism, are remanded. His claim for a left heel disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA was granted with an effective date of May 1, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran had marginal employment due to service-connected disabilities as of May 1, 2015.,An earlier effective date of May 1, 2015, for TDIU and DEA was granted based on the evidence showing marginal employment due to a service-connected mental disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that the VA's decision on the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and eye disability is not supported by adequate medical evidence. The Board has therefore remanded these matters to allow for additional examinations and opinions to better assess the severity of the appellant's conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee chondromalacia patella, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for flexion or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for extension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, including hands, knees, elbows, feet, and shoulders, due to herbicide exposure. The case requires an addendum opinion from a medical professional to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 20, 2019 for service connection for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 25, 2019 for service connection for left knee disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar strain, bilateral knee strains, and lower extremity compartment syndromes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since his military discharge.

The Board has remanded the issues of a rating higher than 60 percent for a right knee disability and TDIU prior to February 2, 2019, due to insufficient development. The AOJ is required to obtain a statement of earnings from the SSA, request information about the Veteran's employment history, and provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after the issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disabilities due to incomplete adjudication and inadequate examination findings. Additional development is required, including a new examination by an examiner who did not conduct previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the failure to obtain VA medical examinations as directed.

The Veteran's HSV-2 is granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent, effective as of the date of decision. The non-compensable rating for hypothyroidism remains unchanged. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee chondromalacia.