Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The appeals for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as left eye cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various joint disabilities due to a new theory of entitlement raised by his representative, focusing on whether these conditions are related to his military duties as a heavy equipment operator.

The Veteran's right knee instability and meniscal tear, as well as his left knee meniscal tear post ACL reconstruction with a scar, are granted separate disability ratings. The effective date remains August 15, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as GERD and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of GERD and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for arthritis, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability.,Right knee instability warrants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination necessary to evaluate his increased rating claim, and thus remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been granted. The issue of rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chest injury service connection and increased rating for right knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases are being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and hip conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate examination. The presumption of soundness applies, and further development is needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis is rated at 40 percent, effective April 11, 2022. The left knee chondromalacia and instability are each rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and failure to verify in-service stressors. The Veteran's right knee disorder, acquired psych disorder (PTSD), and sleep apnea are all under review.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety, was granted service connection. Left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction were also granted. However, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee flexion limitation, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and hypertension are denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus is not met.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right wrist disability is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The left knee replacement claim and TDIU claim are remanded due to lack of updated medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip, left hip with sclerotic abnormality of the left femoral neck, and both knees. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to an accident involving a bulldozer during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee chondromalacia, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment beginning November 16, 2013. A TDIU on extraschedular basis was granted for the period from November 16, 2013, to March 4, 2014.