Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to June 10, 2022, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent prior to June 2, 2022, and at 40 percent thereafter.,The VA has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating for PTSD or right knee chondromalacia based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability due to scheduling issues with an MRI. The appeal is still pending and requires further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The right knee and left knee disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hip condition, sinus condition, congenital hypothyroidism, neck condition, and left knee condition have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for a neck condition and a left knee condition are remanded due to the submission of new evidence material to these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and secondary service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) throughout the appeal period, finding that his service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for several of the service-connected conditions and rating increases.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for low back, left knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to missing VA treatment records from October 2018 to July 2020. These records are necessary to evaluate the probative value of a clinician's opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder and has remanded his claims regarding right knee, left knee, right hip, and bilateral foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for separate ratings for right and left knee instability, as these conditions are already contemplated by his current rating of 100% based on loss of use of the lower extremities. The case is being remanded to address the issue of increased special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,For the period of appeal prior to July 5, 2019, entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for impairment of the left thigh is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and a bilateral knee disability due to new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left ankle, foot, wrist, shoulder, low back, and right knee injuries. The VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability have been granted a 20 percent rating since July 21, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service, including parachute jumps and injuries sustained during deployment.