Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several musculoskeletal and neurological disabilities are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, lower back pain, scars, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a right ankle disorder have been dismissed as there are no remaining questions of fact or law to be decided.,Service connection has been granted for the following conditions: left shoulder separation s/p acromioclavicular joint sprain, lumbar strain, scars of the left upper and right lower extremities, scar of the left upper extremity, scar of the right lower extremity, and schizoaffective disorder, depressed type. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle sprain, right ankle disorder, status post healed fracture to left foot, and right foot disorder have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left leg varicose veins, right knee surgical scars, and left knee surgical scars are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records that were not previously considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of the Veteran's Reserve service records and scheduling issues with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, but did not grant service connection due to lack of nexus between the left knee disability and military service. For his left shoulder disability, the Veteran received a 30% rating, which is higher than what he previously had. His back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were all granted increased ratings. The GERD claim was also granted with specific dates.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability claim was denied as the current rating is already at its maximum, and there is no evidence of instability or pain warranting a higher rating. For the cervical spine condition, the Board found that it is less likely than not related to his service-connected left knee disability. The head injury claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities prior to September 27, 2002 due to a need for further development and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, finding that her current bilateral knee disabilities are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on six different conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for TBI, lumbosacral strain and right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD evaluation. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee disability are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disability, left knee disability, and insomnia due to inadequate opinions in the May 2018 VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,Further investigation into the Veteran's treatment records from 2005-2010 is needed, as well as a new VA examination for his lumbosacral strain and an addendum opinion regarding his left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The claim for GERD is being remanded as there may be a secondary relationship between the acid reflux and his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded because of in-service breathing difficulties and nasal obstructions.,The claims for right knee, left knee, and shin splints are being remanded due to potential secondary relationships with his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for a right hand disability is being remanded as there may be a relationship between the current condition and an in-service injury.,No effective date provided as these claims are still pending.,No rating assigned as these claims are still pending.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for instability of each knee, effective from February 10, 2023. The Veteran's left and right knees were previously rated based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to ensure compliance with the October 2023 CAVC JMPR, including obtaining additional VA and private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the VA determined that his exostosis of the left patella and left knee instability did not warrant a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee sprain with instability is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from December 17, 2007, to the present. From February 24, 2015, entitlement for left knee osteoarthritis is granted a separate 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence for the Veteran's claims of right shoulder, left knee, left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.