Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, colitis, headaches, and right knee chondromalacia patella, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 7, 2010. Her TDIU claim is granted effective from that date.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to insufficient medical information and the need to obtain updated treatment records. The claims include earlier effective dates and evaluations for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee meniscal tears with degenerative arthritis (now claimed as knee pain), residuals of cold injury of the bilateral hands, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right ankle disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and psychiatric disability (PTSD). The Board found that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence to support a finding that these conditions began in service. Service connection was granted for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The left knee instability was granted, but the meniscal tear and limitation of motion claims remained denied.

The Veteran's injuries from the May 1980 motor vehicle accident are not considered to be in line of duty due to willful misconduct.,Service connection for all claimed conditions is denied as they resulted from the Veteran's own willful misconduct during the incident.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted service connection, with a maximum disability rating of 30%.,Her migraine headaches are granted an increased disability rating to 50%, the highest possible under current criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for a right thigh disability due to lack of evidence of current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability, and secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any past or present symptoms to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions. The appellant's right knee and bilateral foot disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's left knee disability with limitation of extension is granted at a 50% rating effective from June 7, 2023. The claim remains in appellate status for the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his left knee degenerative arthritis prior to April 26, 2023, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to April 26, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied his claim for a TDIU solely due to this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the initial decision denying service connection for a left knee condition was incorrect due to inadequate medical opinions and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability, migraines, and back disability have been reopened. The claim for tinnitus has been granted as it is attributable to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, sleep apnea, sinusitis, CFS, and rhinitis due to insufficient evidence or need for further clarification.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected. The issues of compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition under the presumptive provisions for certain disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf veterans. The Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings and service connection determinations due to missing examinations, scheduling issues, and additional Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) records.