Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent each for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee lateral and collateral ligament laxity, effective from November 21, 2006.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased evaluations for right knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including right and left knee instability, are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, effective February 1, 2007. The Veteran is now rated at the maximum disability level for each knee under Diagnostic Codes 5010-5261 and 5257.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, vision loss (claimed as vision loss), left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and a condition manifested by a sore throat.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for LEFT knee disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and residuals of a staph infection due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's left achilles tendonitis is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Board also grants the Veteran a TDIU from March 20, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his right knee patellar tendonitis is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report. A new examination is needed to ensure proper range of motion testing and symptomatology assessment.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to June 2, 2014 due to inadequate examinations conducted during flare-ups or after repetition over time. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to address his knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia and medial meniscectomy post total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not show more than intermediate degrees of pain, weakness, or limitation of motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to follow previous directives and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again for a proper medical opinion.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The right knee disability may be due to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accidents and wear and tear from physical activity, but it could also be related to her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 20 percent rating, while his left and right knee chondromalacia remain at 10 percent ratings. The Veteran also receives a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and a retrospective examination to assess the severity of his left knee condition. The TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the remanded matters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot and ankle disability, which is secondary to his already service-connected left knee disability. Further development is needed to obtain private treatment records from Central Medical Associates.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to locate the Veteran's service treatment records and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and remanded the issue of service connection for chronic sinusitis due to missing STRs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities as secondary to her service-connected pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between her service-connected condition and her current knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's left shoulder and left knee disabilities remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, a back disability, and a right knee disability.