Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. However, the right knee disability, left eye disability, back disability, TDIU claim, and left knee disability remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and hearing requests. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being returned to the RO for additional procedures.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to procedural issues, specifically regarding the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) for certain rating periods and the proper handling of the reduction in disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right hand and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee conditions has been denied. The highest rating of noncompensable is granted for limitation of extension, a 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of flexion, and no higher rating is granted for instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and right hip disability due to a lack of adequate rationale in previous VA opinions and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The Veteran's claim of higher ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities is being considered, but he is not entitled to any higher or separate ratings due to the combined disability rating limit.

The Board has granted separate ratings of at least 20 percent for left knee limitation of flexion, left knee instability, and a rating of 20 percent for left knee semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and crepitus throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's left knee, limitation of flexion, was found to be limited to 75 degrees at worst, even considering additional functional loss due to pain and weakness. As a result, the claim for a higher rating than 10 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease and entitlement to a compensable rating for right knee meniscus tear due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various joint and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as a cognitive disorder and headaches. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be already compensated by the service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be reviewed by the RO, and the claims for service connection are being remanded. The Veteran's appeals include issues related to lower back disability, left hip disability, headaches (including migraines), right knee disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, an eye disability, hepatitis C, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee strain. The evidence did not support a valid diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current osteoarthritis is not related to his in-service injury and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will need to provide the Veteran with examinations and consider additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to deficiencies in prior remand directives and unsecured records. The Veteran's service treatment records, private treatment records, and active duty treatment records are needed.

The Board has dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability ratings, as the appellant withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective August 25, 2021. A TDIU has also been added due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or a service-connected condition. The claim for increased ratings for neck and back disabilities was withdrawn by the Veteran.