Knee Board decisions

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 9, 2007 to September 8, 2008 due to his service-connected migraines, degenerative disc disease, and left knee disability.,The Veteran was also granted a TDIU from January 1, 2013 to the present. The decision is based on his service-connected migraines, degenerative disc disease, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, rated at 30 percent prior to December 11, 2012, is now rated at 60 percent effective from that date.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic headaches / migraines are found to have begun during service and persist since separation. Service connection is granted for this condition. The thoracic, lumbar, and/or sacral spine conditions, right knee condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted as service connected.,Secondary service connection is granted for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee conditions due to lumbosacral spine condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his right knee conditions and surgical scars, finding that he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective April 9, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue of a higher rating for further examination.,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating effective September 22, 2022. The issue of an extraschedular TDIU prior to September 22, 2022 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee, shoulder, wrist, and hip disabilities. The issues of increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disorders, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's lay statements of falls and demanding duties in service are considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding an examination and retrospective medical opinion for right knee instability.

The Veteran's left knee condition, post-total left knee replacement, is rated at a maximum of 60 percent effective May 16, 2013. The issues regarding flexion and extension are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and left knee disabilities have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle sprain with residual pain is remanded, as well as the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC based on housebound status from August 19, 2019 due to his service-connected anxiety with depression associated with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board. The effective date of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities is set at May 1, 2017. The rating for bilateral pes planus has been granted from May 1, 2017 to December 10, 2021 and since then remains denied. A separate rating evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted effective February 7, 2021. The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the right knee, low back condition, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the decision-making process and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee subluxation and limitation of flexion are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and a need to obtain additional medical records. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the VA definition of hearing loss or tinnitus.,For his left knee, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities, the Board has found that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for the knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for a lower back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, head laceration (also claimed as head trauma), and headaches due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.