Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion and instability. The claim for higher ratings is denied as the evidence does not support a rating greater than 20 percent for right knee flexion or extension, or a separate rating for instability.

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and hemorrhoids, as well as service connection for left and right knee conditions, have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various knee, ankle, and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to incomplete medical records. The AOJ must obtain these records from private providers.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again as there may be relevant information in his National Guard service that was not previously considered.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for asthma, hypothyroidism, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee strain, right knee strain, right knee recurrent subluxation, left knee recurrent subluxation, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the earliest effective date is December 19, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that it is not related to his military service or service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded these cases due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for major depression.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, low back disability, left knee pain, and right knee pain have been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including TBI, neck disability, skin condition involving the feet, low back disability, left knee disability, and left ankle disability. The claims are being addressed on the merits due to new evidence received since the previous denials.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome, meniscal injury, and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the patellofemoral syndrome but granted separate ratings of 20 percent for meniscal injury and 10 percent for instability.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating from 60% to 30% for the Veteran's left knee post total knee replacement was improper and has restored the original 60% rating. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for sinusitis, left and right knee disabilities. Specifically, VA treatment records from A.F.C. need to be obtained, and a new examination by an appropriate clinician must be scheduled.

The Veteran's hypertension and partial paralysis of the right anterior saphenous nerve status post right knee surgery have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that a compensable rating is not warranted for these conditions.,The issue of an increased rating for right lateral epicondylitis is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his prescribed hydrochlorothiazide.

The Veteran's appeals for left knee, right ankle, and cervical conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was reduced from a 20% rating to a 10% rating, but the RO found that there had not been an actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work. The reduction is therefore being reinstated.

The Veteran's left, right knee disabilities and cervical spine disability are granted as service connected. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is also granted but the initial rating for his right ear hearing loss remains remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal for service connection for a back condition and bilateral knee disabilities in an October 2020 statement. The Board also noted that the Veteran has since been granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbar arthritis, status-post L5-S1 fusion is granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities are each granted a separate 20 percent rating for instability since February 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a right knee disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue will be further evaluated and an opinion from a medical professional is needed.