Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis and onychomycosis are related to service, while his left knee strain is considered secondary to service-connected bilateral calluses of the feet. The appeal for hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The appeal as to diabetes mellitus type II has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The appeals for obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernias were rated as small and not readily reducible, but they were not large or postoperative recurrent. The left knee arthritis was not manifest by x-ray evidence of two or more major joints. Therefore, the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, and has also granted a 30 percent initial rating for bilateral pes planus prior to October 16, 2019.

The Veteran's asthma is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits and other toxic substances during service, as per the PACT Act. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee femoral nerve and sciatic nerve disabilities have been granted effective from November 5, 2010.,Effective dates for the respective grants of benefits are set at November 5, 2010.

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, knee strain, and knee instability, status post total knee arthroplasty, is granted. The claims for secondary service connection for a left hip disability and a left ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues on appeal, and thus the case is being returned to the Regional Office for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and hip disabilities due to incomplete records and need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination.,Left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II are all remanded as the Board needs additional opinions on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, left knee disability, lower back disability, bilateral shin splints, and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development, and they will be reviewed again by the VA Regional Office.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 100% from November 1, 2011 to February 1, 2012. From January 13, 2015 to November 5, 2015, and from March 1, 2016 to January 18, 2018, the Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60%. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder was rated at 30% prior to August 9, 2010. From August 9, 2010, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 40%. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% prior to July 13, 2010 and at 40% thereafter. The Veteran's right humerus condition, residuals of a right shoulder dislocation with degenerative arthritis (DA), and bilateral knee conditions were all rated at 20%. SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral foot, and left knee conditions. However, these claims are still remanded as new VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, and lower back condition due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, but the right foot disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, but remanded the claims for right foot and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent since August 1, 2022. The Board granted a partial increase to the maximum schedular rating for this period and remanded issues regarding instability and painful motion/degenerative changes.