Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20 percent from July 14, 2016 to November 19, 2017. The rating for his arthritis prior to this period remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) in both lower extremities, and radiculopathy (femoral nerve) in the right and left lower extremities have been granted service connection. Increased ratings of 40 percent for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right and left lower extremities, are granted prior to February 7, 2023.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for a left knee disability is granted, based on painful motion. The appeal does not involve service connection issues.

All appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for prostate cancer has been granted due to exposure to chemicals in Iraq.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disorders are being remanded due to the receipt of additional service records. The Board will consider these new records in determining whether there is sufficient evidence to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disability was aggravated during service, warranting service connection.,Service connection is granted for a right knee disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot and knee disabilities.,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot and knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability, left knee scars, and various finger disabilities were denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board found that the lack of evidence from these examinations resulted in a denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and other conditions such as right shoulder, bilateral pes planus, positional vertigo, tinnitus, right elbow, right knee, hiatal hernia, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right knee disorders, leading to their dismissal.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating, effective throughout the appeal period. Ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia remain at 10%. The psychiatric disability is granted a 70% rating, effective prior to December 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is etiologically related to service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to address his claims.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Washington D.C. VAMC and any relevant private treatment records before readjudicating these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right knee injury before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, status post total knee replacement, finding that it is directly related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records, and requests that the Veteran provide information about his right knee treatment providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee and left shoulder disabilities due to inadequate examinations, missing records from Moncrief Army Community Hospital, and failure to consider all relevant evidence. The claims will be reviewed with new VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion.