Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased knee rating due to concerns about retrospective range of motion findings and functional equivalent of ankylosis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to May 31, 2017, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chondrocalcinosis of the right knee status post meniscal repair because these issues were already adjudicated by the Board in a previous decision.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a 30 percent rating for tension headaches has been granted.

The Board has directed that VA examinations be obtained for the Veteran's claimed right foot, left foot, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities. These issues are currently remanded to obtain these evaluations.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The RO should request the Veteran's in-service clinical records, verify his periods of active duty for training or inactive duty for training, and obtain VA medical opinions to address whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10 percent rating for tension headaches has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues related to service connection and disability ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted service connection, but his right knee disability and temporary total rating for left knee surgery are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability and OSA. Specifically, it is required to obtain SSA records that may be relevant to his claims of service connection for OSA, as well as rating reduction and temporary total ratings related to his left knee.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including increased ratings and secondary service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and a left wrist disability. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo new examinations.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent effective January 26, 2022. The ratings for left knee strain and osteoarthritis remain unchanged at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of extension was granted a 40 percent rating for the period prior to December 16, 2013.,For the period from December 16, 2013, the Veteran's right knee limitation of extension is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements.

The Veteran's right knee tendinitis is granted as service connected. The cases of left knee disability and respiratory disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its March 2023 remand directives and thus the claims for higher ratings for back injury with spondylolisthesis and arthritis, as well as left knee chondromalacia patella, are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion to 80 degrees, and the Board finds this rating appropriate.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee, and right knee instability based on a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the March 2007 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left hip femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, right hip disability manifested by pain, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus with left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Multiple service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee conditions have been granted service connection, and a separate compensable rating for right knee instability has been awarded. The Veteran's request to withdraw her claim for a compensable rating for scar status post right knee surgery is accepted. Service connection has also been established for PTSD and major depressive disorder secondary to MST, as well as left knee condition and back condition secondary to service-connected right knee conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, is found to have started during his military service and has continued since. The Board granted the claim for service connection.