Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee strain, limited flexion of the right knee, IVDS in the lumbar spine, and right shoulder strain. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication based on all relevant evidence received since the March 2021 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his left knee disability and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound are remanded due to failure to report for a VA examination. The issues may be inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability. The issue of increased rating for right knee disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing a current disability, as well as functional impairment resulting in impaired earning capacity.

The Board dismissed the claim as moot because a full grant of service connection for the Veteran's right partial knee replacement residuals was granted in November 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for service connection for a throat condition, including throat cancer; diabetes mellitus; bilateral knee disabilities; lumbosacral strain; and COPD were all denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on his left shoulder and knee disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of higher initial ratings for limitation of flexion, extension, and instability of the left knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For TDIU, the Board also denied the claim as there is not sufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to March 28, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.,For the period from March 28, 2012, the Veteran's right fibula disability alone is sufficient to warrant TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 29, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration. The case will be referred if it meets the criteria for such a determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and lower back conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for addendum opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine if his bilateral ankle, foot, and knee conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The sinusitis claim is also remanded for an addendum opinion considering all of the Veteran's lay statements, service treatment records, and post-service treatment records regarding his symptoms during and since service.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased evaluation of erectile dysfunction. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disorders and bilateral foot disorders are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection and secondary/aggravation claims. The Veteran's left knee disorder is presumed to be sound at entrance, but there are no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The VA examiner is instructed to consider the service treatment records and the Veteran's lay statements of his injuries during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions regarding his service-connected left knee disability, as well as his claimed right knee, hip, and lumbar radiculopathy disabilities. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.