Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 4, 2017.

The Veteran's right knee instability and left knee instability have been granted separate 10 percent ratings effective February 18, 2015. The initial rating for the right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service and more likely due to age-related wear and tear.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his left knee disability, as well as secondary service connection for right knee, low back, right hip, and left hip disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically regarding loss of range of motion during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased disability evaluation, effective date prior to March 2, 2012 for service connection of a right knee scar, and extension of temporary total rating due to convalescence from right knee surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee patellar tendonitis and right fifth toe fracture was denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he had at least one disability rated at 40% or more, but the combined rating did not reach 70%, and there were other noncompensable disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's service connection claims for left knee strain with osteoarthritis and left knee meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tears, finding that the earliest date of claim was June 5, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left leg and knee conditions, finding that these conditions are related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical strain is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the medical opinion does not support a direct relationship to service.,Service connection for spondylosis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), left knee osteoarthritis with osteophyte formation, right knee chondromalacia with degenerative changes, and right hip strain with limitation of extension are all denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and the medical opinion does not support a direct relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure of VA to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion in connection with the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee disability. The Veteran contends that his current knee disability was aggravated by his active-duty service, but no VA examiner has provided an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for right knee disability due to duty-to-assist errors in the January 2020 VA examination report.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right knee, lower back, and tinnitus disabilities. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which in turn may have aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and partial meniscectomy residuals, as well as left knee osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions originated during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to duty to assist errors, including a need for another examination of his left knee condition.

The Veteran's lower back pain is granted service connection, but his right hip pain, left hip pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.