Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the etiology of any right and left ankle disabilities, as well as any right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, kidney disease, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate efforts in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, and knee conditions due to incomplete records and inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on the basis that they were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, left knee arthritis, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy.,All issues related to these conditions have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability before the effective dates assigned.,An earlier effective date is not granted as there is no indication that an increase occurred prior to the effective dates assigned.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The Veteran withdrew her appeal of the denial of higher ratings for right knee limited motion, left knee limited motion, right knee instability, for a scar of the right knee, and for allergic rhinitis.,Her request for an effective date earlier than February 26, 2020 for the 10 percent rating previously assigned for allergic rhinitis was also dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for increased PTSD to 70 percent has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and right shoulder conditions, finding that these disabilities had their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions, including lower right limb amputation, shrapnel injuries, left knee disability, and hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to obtain information regarding whether the Veteran's employment environment is protected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence regarding the reported in-service injury. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and cause of his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis based on limitation of flexion and entitlement to a separate rating for symptomatic residuals of right knee semilunar cartilage removal. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as left knee osteochondral defect, is granted service connection. The low back disorder and neck disorder are denied service connection. Service connection for the sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain missing service treatment records and for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and respiratory disabilities have been reopened. The appeal is granted on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, left ulnar nerve condition, and right knee disability have been denied. The case is remanded to provide the Veteran with another opportunity for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the petition to reopen previously denied claims for service connection and entitlement to an effective date prior to May 21, 2018, for award of increase rating to 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent prior to November 1, 2023, for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 1, 2023.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for diverticulosis with colon polyps. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, right knee disability, kidney condition, and respiratory condition (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis) were all reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for the respiratory condition under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's colonic polyps are granted service connection, with a current disability rating of at least 10% under DC 7319.,Service connection for the undiagnosed illness characterized by pain of shoulders, knees, fingers, and toes is granted from August 10, 2022. The claim prior to this date was denied due to lack of manifestation to a degree of 10% or more.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, but the appeal remains pending as it is remanded for additional development. The claims for service connection for a headache disability, cervical radiculopathy (right and left upper extremities), and a left knee disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right hip condition, are all found to be related to their respective periods of active service.