Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in or relation to military service. The Veteran is directed to provide authorization for release of any relevant private medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and low back conditions due to a lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndromes are granted service connection. The Veteran's left and right shoulder rotator cuff conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right hip and knee disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a complete ACL tear and multiple meniscal tears, is rated at 30 percent for recurrent subluxation or instability throughout the appeal period. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for symptomatic semilunar cartilage dislocation from June 8, 2013. The Veteran's limitation of flexion is rated as more than a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip and knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present during active duty.,Service connection is established for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions as directly related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for GERD are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations, particularly given his incarceration status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 4, 2021, and 20 percent thereafter for a right knee disability based on limitation of flexion; a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability based on limitation of extension; a rating in excess of 20 percent for a right knee disability based on recurrent instability; and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of semilunar removal, meniscectomy, of the right knee. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee anterior instability with degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia with recurrent patella dislocation and degenerative arthritis, and tendonitis/tendinosis of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the right and left knees due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records, verify duty status, and search VA facilities for relevant surgical reports.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear post arthroscopic surgery is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The right knee instability and painful motion prior to February 12, 2016 are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and denied separate compensable ratings for right knee limitation of extension. The claim for service connection for a back disability was also denied.,A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability was granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disorders and tinnitus due to missing service treatment records and private medical records. The claims for bilateral knee disorders, tinnitus, and any associated musculoskeletal conditions are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, right knee disability, and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, other than bipolar disorder) has been granted. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of tinnitus was denied as it was filed within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's request for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation (10%) is already assigned.,Service connection for arthritis, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.,An effective date prior to September 28, 2018, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied as the claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's hearing loss is considered a secondary condition due to his already service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from November 27, 2018. The Veteran's symptoms include 'locking' and pain in the right knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of previous VA examinations and the Veteran's reported increased symptomatology. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability required a one-year convalescence period following surgery, and the Board granted an extension of this rating from June 1, 2017 to February 7, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's lay statements and in-service reports of knee pain are considered, but further clarification is needed on the possible muscle tear and the presence of chondromalacia.