Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to missing service treatment records and outstanding private medical records. The Veteran's SSN may be incorrect, and a search should be conducted using both correct and incorrect numbers.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed left knee and right leg disorders. Service connection for leukopenia, anemia, and PTSD have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is granted as secondary to service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis. The claims for a higher rating on his left knee disability and service connection for his bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred during his active service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure.,Left knee scars are granted with a compensable rating, subject to further development if needed.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since May 8, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted from June 9, 2016. The Veteran's painful left knee scars are rated at 20 percent since May 8, 2014.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right clavicle disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, right hip disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to issues with the examination process, including scheduling an appropriate VA examination of his right knee. The AOJ is instructed to make efforts to arrange a new examination and consider whether he qualifies for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, right and left knee strains, tinea unguium, allergic rhinitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities for further development and readjudication. These include a request for higher ratings for left knee conditions, right knee flexion limitation, and other impairment of the left knee with recurrent instability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims for bilateral cystic mastitis, brain growth, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, sinus disorder, head pain (or headaches), low back disorder, and right hip disorder were all denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his skin condition, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The claims are also remanded for a new VA opinion regarding systemic therapy use.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and clarifying certain opinions from previous VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left fifth toe amputation due to lack of evidence showing VA carelessness, negligence, or fault in causing the disability. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are reopened, and he is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board finds the claim for a left ankle disability to be remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee conditions due to new evidence not previously considered in a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The AOJ must re-issue an SSOC that specifically identifies and discusses all relevant evidence, including VA examinations and SSA determination.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with abdominal pain and pylori bacterial infection is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his osteoarthritis of the right knee prior to September 7, 2023, he was previously rated at 10 percent. After that date, he received a separate 10 percent rating for recurrent subluxation or instability and a 50 percent rating for arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disorder, a right knee disorder, and a thoracolumbar spine disorder. Service connection for tinnitus was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his limitations of flexion, instability, and meniscal condition of his right knee were not adjudicated by the RO. The Board is remanding these matters to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding the Veteran's meniscal condition.

Service connection has been granted for bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, knee conditions, foot conditions, hip conditions, and ankle conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral leg disability (claimed as bilateral knee pain).