Knee Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and total disability due to service-connected disabilities, as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus disability was granted a separate 20 percent evaluation effective July 3, 2019. The other issues were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, jaw, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions in the record.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for hypertension was denied. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a link between current hypertension and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support an in-service injury or disease related to her current condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hand knuckle injury, right knee disability, increased rating for right wrist disability, and total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified depressive disorder. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

Service connection for headaches, other than under the provisions of the PACT Act, is granted. Service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.

Service connection for asthma is granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and left hand disorders are reopened but the Board finds insufficient evidence to grant these claims on their merits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's limitation of flexion in both knees did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to April 21, 2021, but since then, he has had limited flexion.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records, particularly private primary care records from 2015 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional verification of his identity and periods of active service is needed before the issues can be addressed on their merits.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted. Previously denied claims for left and right knee disabilities, as well as sinusitis, are reopened. Other rating issues remain pending.

The Veteran's right leg shin splints are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective July 31, 2017.

The Veteran's left knee conditions were granted ratings from February 27, 2012, through November 8, 2015. He received a 30 percent rating for left knee instability and a 20 percent rating for meniscus symptoms during this period.,Since January 1, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a 60 percent rating for his left knee total arthroplasty with additional ratings for left ankle strain and left hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back disorder, depression, knee disorders, foot disorders, and ankle disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) by submitting a VA Form 10182 within 60 days of receiving a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are caused and aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The Board has granted the claim for service connection, but the effective date of the TDIU is remanded due to insufficient clinical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate development of evidence, including the need for retrospective opinions and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating of PTSD and TDIU were dismissed because they were not pending at the time of her death, as service connection for PTSD had already been granted.