Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion and left knee instability due to scheduling issues with the Veteran's requested VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine if his left knee disability and sleep apnea are related to service, including examining whether these conditions were aggravated by additional periods of active service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted at a 30 percent rating from December 4, 2012. The right knee instability is granted at a 30 percent rating from November 11, 2012 to April 16, 2013 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal for high blood pressure was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to promulgation of a decision. The appeals for sleep apnea, respiratory disability, psychiatric disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and shin splints are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted service connection, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty.,Service connection for residuals of lymphangitis and a parasitic infection of the right foot is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities and asthma due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are being reviewed under direct service connection, while his asthma is being reviewed under both secondary service connection and aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for TBI-related migraine headaches, left knee disability, and low back disability have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and service connection for COPD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for neuropathy of the right arm, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability or rib fractures. The Board has remanded this issue.,The Veteran also seeks a separate rating for right knee instability. He testified that his right knee gives out and requires him to use a brace.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for instability, and a TDIU is granted beginning September 13, 2019. The rating for instability remains unchanged.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's foot fungus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's depression claim is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected.

The Board restored a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis status post meniscectomy, effective January 1, 2019.

The Board has found that remand is required due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and the Veteran's left knee disability and associated scar need further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected right knee strain and left ankle DJD, finding that the weight gain resulting from these conditions is an intermediate step between the service-connected disabilities and the development of OSA.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability, right foot disability, right knee disability, and low back disability. The claims are being remanded to correct duty to assist errors prior to the December 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for his right knee disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these matters at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left knee sprain, right knee sprain, bilateral tinea pedis (athlete's foot), and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining VA treatment records from 2014-2016.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion from an appropriate clinician.