Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist condition, and right knee disability due to incomplete records and the need for new evaluations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected back disability, finding that the current right knee disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence does not show a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.,Service connection for a left leg condition was also denied due to lack of aggravation during service. The Veteran's current knee disability is more likely attributed to post-service heavy work.

The Veteran's right knee was rated at 30 percent for arthritis prior to total knee replacement and then granted a separate rating of 20 percent for meniscal disability with locking and effusion post-total knee replacement.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, right knee contusion, ingrown toenails (bilateral great toe), and stomach disorder (hemorrhoids).,Left knee disorder remains denied due to lack of evidence linking current condition to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis prior to January 9, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to less than 60 degrees at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability, a right foot disability, and OSA due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the submission of additional evidence and a need for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's right knee instability was productive of severe lateral instability from October 23, 2013, to December 9, 2014, and the Board granted a 30 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's claims have been reopened, but the Board finds further development is needed to determine if his current left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are related to service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea claim has also been remanded as there is insufficient evidence to decide without a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders. Specifically, VA treatment records are needed, verification of the Veteran's service during active duty, and an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for depressive disorder, hypertension, and a low back disability. The claim for bilateral knee disability was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to clarify whether he has recurrent subluxation or instability of his knees.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the directives of the August 2023 Board remand and has therefore ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorders had their clinical onset during active service or are related to any incident of service, including physical demands and an in-service fall while carrying 109-mm howitzer rounds.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has maintained employment during the appeal period and his disabilities have allowed him to contribute positively through volunteer work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a status post orchiectomy, left congenital undescended testicle, with painful scar, was reopened and granted. The right testicular torsion was also granted. Service connection for a right knee disability and sciatica were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with arthritis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis prior to November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis from November 17, 2023, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that new evidence received since the prior final denial supports these claims. The Board also found reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran regarding his onset of knee problems during service.