Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus, right knee disability, and left knee disability for further development. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection due to in-service onset with continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a headache disability, and sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disability. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and lack of a statement of reasons and bases for the decision. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for his right knee disability based on limitation of motion is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee patellar chondromalacia, bilateral foot disability, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete records.,Pending further clarification from medical experts, these claims will be returned to the RO for consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities were evaluated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability with radiculopathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected right knee strain with arthritis, residuals of right knee meniscal tear. The decision also remanded issues regarding left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for knee disabilities and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds that they do not warrant higher ratings.,For both knees, the evidence shows painful motion with no compensable limitation of motion. The VA examiner did not find any additional factors contributing to disability such as weakness, fatigability, or incoordination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of motion, is rated at a maximum 20 percent since September 4, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their respective limitations of motion, instability, and symptoms such as locking and effusion. The ratings are combined to reach a total of 60 percent for each knee.,A 20 percent rating is granted for limitation of flexion in both knees, with separate 30 percent ratings for instability and additional symptoms like locking and effusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine, retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, and lower left extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination reports. The issues are now returned to the Board for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The Veteran failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination, which was necessary to determine whether he is entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea have been reopened. The appeals are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Secondary service connection is established for migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip, knee, shoulder, foot, and lower back conditions are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined rating of 40% did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU. The evidence showed he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition and right knee condition are remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for service connection for insomnia is granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the evidence does not show that he continuously prosecuted his claims within one year of the February 2010 rating decision.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia with scar and remanded the case for further development regarding a left knee disorder.