Knee Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee conditions and scars, finding no evidence to support higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, kidney conditions, headaches, dermatitis, musculoskeletal conditions of the left shoulder, lumbar spine, knees, and feet.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The RO must issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to address the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee strain, as well as right and left shin splints, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's extensive physical training during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. He is currently receiving a combined rating of at least 80 percent due to his service-connected disabilities, meeting the schedular requirement for TDIU. However, he failed to complete VA Forms 21-8940 (Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability), which prevented proper adjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral heel spurs, lower back arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions and unverified Reserve and National Guard service dates.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, its relationship to service or an incident thereof, whether it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, whether it is aggravated by his service-connected COPD, and if his obesity caused or aggravated his bilateral knee disability.

The Board has found that another remand is warranted due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right knee conditions, back issues, radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, hypothyroidism, and PSVT, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee PSO is dismissed as the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent has already been assigned. The claim for TDIU prior to May 14, 2013, is also denied due to lack of evidence and participation in development.

The Veteran's right knee disability with extension, flexion, and meniscus issues have been granted effective from March 21, 2012.,A total right knee replacement was performed on December 22, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between the conditions and military service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for right knee instability and chronic bronchitis, effective October 1, 2017. The restoration is based on evidence showing no actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and left knee disabilities. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right-hand, and left-hand conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, right knee subluxation, left knee meniscal tear, and left knee subluxation as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, efforts should be made to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors related to PTSD, confirm the existence of service treatment records (STRs) regarding his right knee injury, and obtain updated medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's cervicalgia is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. A 10 percent rating for GERD prior to December 16, 2019 is granted. An extraschedular rating for GERD from December 16, 2019 is denied. Ratings higher than 10 percent for both the right knee and right ankle disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling based on instability, with separate ratings for limitation of flexion and extension. The appeal regarding a higher rating for the left knee disability remains pending.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI has been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a lumbosacral strain and a right knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions.