Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the loss of Veteran's service treatment records. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on determining whether there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral leg injuries, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, left ankle strain, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include MDD with cocaine and alcohol dependence and PTSD) has been granted. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to warrant reopening these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence received after the last AOJ action in October 2020. The Veteran and their representative are required to be provided a supplemental statement of the case addressing the issues of increased ratings for left knee extension, flexion, and instability, as well as service connection for right knee and lower back disorders.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 11, 2017 to December 5, 2019. The case is remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration of TDIU for the period from January 14, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and right knee disability were denied in previous rating decisions. The claim for DM II was remanded.,New evidence received since the last denial does not relate to the unestablished facts of these claims.

The Board has restored the prior ratings for right and left knee instability, finding that the reductions were not proper due to lack of sustained material improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment from July 1, 2014 to March 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for a skin disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left foot disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his knee, hip, shoulder, and lumbar conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition, and his claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, neck, and back conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted based on noise exposure during active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for various other disabilities. The decision also denies ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability effective September 24, 2013. It also granted a 20 percent rating from September 25, 2013 to April 7, 2022 and a 30 percent rating on and after April 8, 2022 for left knee instability under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's right knee surgery and convalescence are related to his service-connected right knee limitation of motion, warranting a temporary total disability rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection of his low back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's right knee disability did not result in limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less prior to July 27, 2019.,Prior to July 27, 2019, the Veteran's right knee instability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.