Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent effective March 10, 2022, with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was initially denied in January 2015. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU from March 1, 2012 to June 19, 2013 and from August 1, 2014 to June 15, 2015. However, the claim was remanded for further review as it was unclear whether the Veteran's TDIU request is based on schedular or extraschedular criteria.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's right knee disability prior to September 2, 2015, as his range of motion was considered 'adequate' and 'functional'. The evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscal tear, is rated at 10 percent effective June 15, 2023. A separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's left hip disability is denied. The right knee disability, instability, and total knee replacement are granted with specific ratings and effective dates. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, specifically requesting an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's headaches. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a painful right knee surgical scar and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of sinusitis. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability and remands for further examination.

The Board has denied a higher rating for lumbar spine spondylosis and remanded the right knee issue due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle sprain is secondary or aggravated by his service-connected conditions. Additionally, the codesheet needs to be corrected to reflect the right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including left knee condition, PTSD, neck condition, TBI, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is instructed to consider the new evidence added since the March 2020 SOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 1, 2015, as his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the appeals for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to participate in requested VA examinations. The claims of service connection for atypical mycobacteria, left knee disorder, and hypothyroidism are denied as there is no current disability found.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several service-connected disabilities was denied. The right thumb disability, right shoulder strain, and right knee meniscectomy were all rated at 10 percent. A higher rating for the right knee instability was not granted, but an earlier effective date of August 11, 2021, was granted for the right knee meniscectomy.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The Veteran's impaired anal sphincter control associated with hemorrhoids is also rated as noncompensable.,For OSA and knee disorders, remand is required to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service or caused by obesity resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient compliance with previous remand orders. The Veteran's lay statements regarding her in-service assault are considered, but a new VA medical opinion is required to address whether her current disabilities are related to that event.