Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right ankle disorder, and a left knee disorder due to inadequate examination opinions and lack of medical evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including increased ratings and a TDIU determination. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. On or after February 13, 2015, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 40 percent, but complications are also considered. For his knees and spine disorders, a VA examination is required to determine their etiology and severity.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claims for left knee, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right knee disability has been granted. The appeal is granted in part, specifically regarding the issues of service connection for right knee condition and opioid use disorder secondary to PTSD with unspecified use disorder. These claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU prior to March 16, 2020 is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, including limitation of extension and flexion, is rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, left knee chondromalacia patella, and irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of service connection for a hip condition is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including for her PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left and right restless leg syndromes, low back disability, and right knee disability. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each since April 7, 2016. The current rating of 30 percent for the right shoulder is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder pain has been rated at 20 percent since April 7, 2016. The current rating of 20 percent is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee patellar femoral syndrome and left knee patellar femoral syndrome have both been rated at 10 percent each since February 6, 2008. The current ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee instability and left knee instability have both been rated at 10 percent each since February 6, 2008. The current ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and denied secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral knee conditions were denied as the evidence did not show that higher ratings were warranted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee disability, including service connection for various other conditions. The claims are being returned for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include his lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, knee, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder due to incomplete personnel records.,Service connection is denied for obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disturbances as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, kidney condition, valvular heart disease, erectile dysfunction, cataracts, diabetes mellitus, GERD, stomach condition, asbestosis, ankle conditions, back disability, knee conditions, arthritis, right hip condition, and left hip condition.

The Veteran's low back disability with radiculopathy to the bilateral knees is granted as service connected. The right knee, migraine, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck condition and hematologic condition due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The right knee condition, atypical chest pain, and bruxism cases are also being remanded.,The appellant's anemia is being remanded as there is no discussion on whether it may be presumptively connected to service under the PACT Act or Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune exposure.,The right knee condition is being remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion. The atypical chest pain case is also being remanded for a clear diagnosis and opinions on both direct and secondary service connection, while the bruxism case is being remanded for an opinion on secondary service connection.,The appellant's atypical chest pain is being remanded as there are no conclusive diagnoses of the condition. The right knee condition is being remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion. The bruxism case is also being remanded for a clear diagnosis and opinions on both direct and secondary service connection.,The appellant's bruxism is being remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion, as well as lack of consideration of his service-connected psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left foot condition, right foot condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee condition have not been addressed in this decision.