Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as arthritis of the left knee status post-ACL repair with instability and limited flexion prior to July 23, 2020, is rated at 10 percent for each condition.,For the period after September 1, 2021, when the Veteran had a total left knee replacement, he was assigned a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's ascending aortic aneurysm is rated at 100% effective February 16, 2016. His hypertension is rated at 20%. The remaining conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including extension and flexion, was restored to a 40% rating. A separate 10% rating for left knee flexion is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and secondary service connection for a right knee disability, finding that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disorder and left knee disorder to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions will be evaluated, along with his in-service duties as an Aircraft Fuel Systems Technician.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 10 percent, and his limitation of extension prior to April 25, 2023, is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's meniscal injury is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right shoulder, right knee, naval hernia, bladder incontinence, anxiety disorder, and back disability, are not service-connected as they do not have a direct causal relationship to her active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and review of non-VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including heart disability, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, kidney disease, left knee disability, liver disease, neck disability, radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities, skin disability with trophic changes, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including failing to obtain all of the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) from Subic Bay Naval Hospital in the Philippines. The Veteran is also asked to identify any outstanding private treatment records and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a new examination is required.

The Board has determined that further remand is necessary to obtain adequate nexus opinions for the Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities. The VA examiner failed to provide sufficient rationale in their previous opinions.

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and essential tremors.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability from May 1, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating for either condition.,Service connection for various secondary disabilities (right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right hip, left hip, and foot pain) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee meniscal tear was denied as the flexion limitation did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions not preventing him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her left sacrum and sacroiliac injury, as well as service connection for her knee disorders, were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to concerns about the competence of the VA examiners who conducted the examinations. The Veteran and his representative need to be provided with information regarding these examiners' qualifications.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and plantar fasciitis conditions are granted service connection, while the ratings for shin splints remain at 10 percent.