Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee traumatic arthritis and entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 27, 2018 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and documentation of income.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and right knee disabilities due to a lack of compliance with previous remand requests.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease, left knee disability (limitation of extension), and right knee disability status post replacement are all remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the Veteran is seeking SMC based on need for aid and attendance or loss of use of extremities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and effective dates related to his knee conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee strain, and degenerative arthritis. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) is also granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically limitation of flexion and extension, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence showing that his flexion was limited to 30 degrees or less or his extension was limited to 15 degrees or more during any part of the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for OSA, increased rating for lumbosacral strain, initial ratings for RLE sciatic radiculopathy (prior to October 12, 2018) and LLE sciatic radiculopathy (post October 12, 2018), TDIU based solely on an acquired psychiatric disorder, SMC at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility to DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, which may be related to service or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent for instability since March 10, 2023. The claim for a higher rating for limitation of flexion and extension prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right hip and/or left knee disabilities.,From July 1, 2020, the Veteran's left knee disability (status-post total replacement) is rated at 30 percent. From July 21, 2017 to May 12, 2019, he was granted a 20 percent rating for limitation of flexion and another 20 percent rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The Veteran asserts his conditions are related to incidents during service, including a fall from a tank while removing a canvas cover.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his left knee scar. Additionally, he needs an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his left ankle disorder and bilateral wrist pain.

The Board has granted service connection for thyroid disability and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. The appeal regarding other issues is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information about the qualifications of the VA examiner who provided an opinion on the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran and her representative need this information in order to fully develop their arguments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues with his back condition.

The Board has denied service connection for shortness of breath, an enlarged heart, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability (including arthritis) as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed left calf and left knee conditions, finding that these symptoms are related to his service-connected lumbosacral spondylolisthesis and associated sciatic radiculopathy.