Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for his left knee disability, GERD, and IBS. The psychiatric condition received a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if his disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding her need for aid and attendance or housebound SMC based on her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and right wrist fracture do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining a Social Security earnings report to determine the Veteran's income from October 2015 to the present. The TDIU claim remains denied.

The Veteran's knee and hip conditions have been rated based on their current functional impairment, with some issues granted ratings while others are denied. The Veteran received separate maximum schedular ratings for his right knee meniscus tear residuals and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA medical examinations and failure to comply with previous remand orders. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for PB, PTSD, duodenal ulcer, right knee disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, high cholesterol, and heart condition as these issues have been fully granted in a prior rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and clarifying medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The appellant's service-connected left knee, right knee, thoracic spine, and sinusitis disabilities are all subject to review.

The Board has decided that additional evidence from Indian Health Service needs to be obtained in order to properly decide the service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, instability of the left and right knees, and osteoarthritis of the right hip.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The claims for lower right back pain, right knee injury, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are granted on the merits. The claim for a headache disorder (migraines) and TBI remain pending.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for right and left knee disorders, as well as bilateral foot disorders, are inadequate to decide these claims. The Veteran's service records show he was treated for knee injuries during service and reported ongoing symptoms since leaving service. Therefore, further examination is needed.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for both the right and left total knee replacements (TKRs) effective from November 1, 2017, and December 1, 2018, respectively. However, the appellant's claims for increased ratings prior to her TKR surgeries remain pending and require further development.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, including gastro-soleus equinus syndrome and bilateral pes planus (plantar fasciitis), is related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was caused by his service-connected bilateral ankle disability. The low back disability is also linked to the service-connected bilateral ankle disability and bilateral feet disabilities.,PTSD is found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, with a diagnosis of PTSD confirmed in private examination reports.,ED is determined to be secondary to PTSD, as diagnosed by a private examiner.,Obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right knee strain, left knee strain, and residuals of a left ankle fracture are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence.