Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of her right knee, thoracic spine, and sleep apnea disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain have been granted service connection. Other conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back disability, including a higher rating and initial ratings for radiculopathy of the lower extremities and a neurogenic bladder disability. The Veteran is also seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate compensable rating for his neurogenic bladder disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability over the entire appeal period.

The Board has decided that entitlement to an annual clothing allowance for the year of 2015 due to the use of a right knee brace is granted. However, the claim for a left lower extremity brace remains unclear and requires further action.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment, with some periods receiving higher ratings.,From June 1, 2018, to May 4, 2023, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating for instability. From November 23, 2016, he was granted a separate 20 percent rating for episodes of joint locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to lack of in-service stressors for PTSD and insufficient evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, neck, left knee, and right knee conditions due to failure of the Veteran to contact VA for requested examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was not aggravated by his active duty and thus rebutting the presumption of soundness.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee injury residuals, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to increased ratings and effective dates for various knee, back, and shoulder conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral foot disabilities, and right ankle tendonitis. However, these claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right and left knees each receiving a 20% rating for instability. The right knee also received a 10% rating for flexion limitation, while the left knee received a 10% rating for extension limitation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder slap tear, degenerative arthritis of cervical spine, left knee disability, TBI, tinnitus, asthma, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service-connected. The issues of right knee, left knee, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings due to conflicting range of motion measurements in previous examinations. New VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his low back, neck, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence following left knee surgery is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veterans Service Center Manager will determine if an extension beyond the initial six-month period is warranted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to new evidence indicating a change in diagnosis from borderline personality disorder to bipolar disorder.,The Veteran's left and right knee disability claims are remanded as there is new evidence of ongoing pain since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his migraine headaches due to a duty-to-assist error in prior decisions. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations to evaluate the current severity of these conditions.