Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under current VA regulations.,The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated at 20 percent and no higher. The examiner found that there was no evidence of ankylosis or severe recurrent subluxation/lateral instability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from January 14, 2011, to February 22, 2018, is granted based on his service-connected right knee disability, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient private medical records from the Veteran's family doctor, which were not obtained prior to 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 2021. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU effective October 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined and requires a remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence added to the claims file, including VA outpatient records. The issues of service connection for teeth issues, shoulder condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, right foot (pes planus), limitation of flexion right knee/leg, gout (claimed as painful joints), generalized body aches, skin disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recurrent allergies, sleep apnea, bilateral hand disability, sinus disability, and asthma are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any left knee disability present since April 2014, as well as the need for additional development related to non-VA medical records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and a dislocated meniscus, has been rated at 20% since March 23, 2023. The rating is granted for the entire appellate period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee strain and bilateral hip strain, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, tinnitus, and withdrew his appeal regarding upper spine condition. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including back, neck, knee, shoulder, and esophageal conditions, have been granted. The issues of service connection for a left knee meniscal tear, right hand disability, left hand disability, fatigue (undiagnosed illness), and memory loss (undiagnosed illness) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for her right knee condition and TDIU based on her right knee disability. The evidence did not show ankylosis, limitations of extension or impairments to the tibia/fibula. The Veteran was found to have intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether this condition began during active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right knee extension disability, left knee disability, and right knee flexion disability are all denied increased ratings. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the right knee scar is denied. The claims for service connection for a left eye condition, heart condition, GERD, gastrointestinal condition, right shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities and PFB.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PFB, TMJ, and bilateral eye disorder (photophobia sensitivity to light) has been granted. The claims for right knee, left knee, erectile dysfunction, right foot, left foot, right toe, and left toe disorders are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of an increased rating for left knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 30, 2016 for the service connection of left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and major depressive disorder.