Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral knees and back are being remanded due to the need to obtain Reserve service records, which may assist in substantiating these claims. The AOJ also granted additional service connection for left knee limitation of extension, right knee limitation of extension, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand multiple claims for increased disability ratings for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and missing information.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including a new VA examination and additional information regarding TDIU. The reduction of disability evaluations for service-connected right and left knee strains is considered void ab initio.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and other musculoskeletal conditions.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disability with painful limitation of flexion is denied. The current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, vertigo, bilateral knee weakness, and bilateral lower extremity blood vessel aneurisms are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not manifested functional impairment equivalent to a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran's left knee disability has not manifested functional impairment equivalent to flexion limited to 30 degrees or any other impairment to warrant higher or separate ratings during the appeal period.,The Veteran's right knee disability has not manifested functional impairment equivalent to flexion limited to 30 degrees or any other impairment to warrant higher or separate ratings during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from October 6, 2009, to December 26, 2012, is granted. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were found to not warrant ratings in excess of the current 10 percent, as their symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to his service-connected left ankle disability or service, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine. Service connection is remanded for left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is at least as likely as not related to in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residual surgical scars, right knee was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to April 3, 2019 was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee replacement.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for right and left knee disorders due to additional development being needed, including obtaining a medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, hand, hip, and foot disabilities as the evidence did not show they began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and erectile dysfunction (ED) as due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder. Service connection is remanded for asthma, right knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, migraines, and a bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide agent exposure is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the possibility that the condition has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee scar is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for presbyopia is denied as refractive errors are not considered diseases or injuries under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and psychiatric disability due to their proximate relationship to the Veteran's service-connected left above the knee amputation. The Veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating for her scar associated with her left above the knee amputation.

The claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been reopened and granted. However, the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability remains denied.