Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain is granted, with a final effective date of July 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various hand, hip, and knee disabilities due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions provided by the RO. The Veteran's representative asserts that his hip disabilities may be secondary to his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted.,For the period prior to April 8, 2017, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar DDD L5-S1 is denied. From April 8, 2017, a 40 percent rating is granted and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for each lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella and meniscus residuals are rated at the noncompensable level. The scars on his knees and feet are also rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial 50 percent rating, but not higher.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent for right lower extremity neuropathy (sciatic) and right knee strain, respectively, have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and/or left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied.,Service connection for a left knee disorder was granted with an effective date of November 6, 2017. The earlier effective date prior to November 6, 2017 is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes, lung disorder (claimed as COPD), tinnitus, and glaucoma. The Veteran must now request an SOC before these issues can be appealed further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to insufficient evidence in some cases, particularly regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide additional opinions from medical professionals.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle strain, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO granted TDIU from March 29, 2018 to October 27, 2022.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for tinnitus as it was granted in a separate decision. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and arthritis, as well as left knee DJD limitation of flexion and instability, were denied. The Veteran was granted separate 10 percent ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's rating for mediolateral instability of the left knee was reduced from 10 percent to 0 percent, but this reduction is found to be improper due to lack of material improvement. The appeal is granted and the Veteran is entitled to restoration of his previous 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee instability was granted, but only up to a 20 percent disability rating. The Court remanded the case due to an incorrect denial of a higher rating.,Beginning January 17, 2020, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee instability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran received a separate 20 percent disability rating for his left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for a rating in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee with instability, service connection for lumbar spine condition, left hip condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with swelling and pain due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a right knee disability and denied her request for a higher rating for major depression, recurrent with PTSD and alcohol use. The appeal was remanded for further action on issues related to right eye disability and Nabothian cysts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders did not have their onset during service and are not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.