Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA is required to obtain SSA disability records, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination, and correct the pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disability, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is based on a stressor event during INACDUTRA, but the exact dates of this service are unclear. For the knee/low leg disabilities, the VA opinions found no relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date earlier than June 7, 2016 for the assignment of service connection for a back disability has been dismissed.,An initial disability rating of 40 percent, but no more, effective June 7, 2016 for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted.,An initial disability rating of 40 percent, but no more, effective June 7, 2016 for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder (including anxiety) and PTSD due to a pre-decisional error in failing to provide a VA examination. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of her right knee symptoms, including nerve damage. The Veteran is also required to undergo a retroactive VA examination to assess her current range of motion.

The Veteran's claims for anxiety, depression, and Meniere's disease have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and bilateral foot disorder have been granted.,Evidence received since the April 2020 rating decision, including VA treatment records, a private nexus opinion, and hearing testimony, supports the conclusion that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his surgical scar, right knee as there is no evidence of any painful or unstable scars and the area does not exceed 28 square cm.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, to include acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability, to include acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his in-service noise exposure and grants this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The VA examination report found no evidence of hearing loss for VA purposes, thus denying this claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee disability has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issues of service connection for left ankle, right ankle, bilateral foot (plantar warts), left knee, and right knee disabilities are all now pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for limitation of flexion or a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development and consideration, including a new examination to assess his current hearing loss and knee disabilities.

The Board denied entitlement to a higher evaluation for left knee instability and limitation of motion, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient medical opinions. The case is now pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated medical records.