Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding his depression, respiratory disorder, and right knee disorders.

The Board has restored a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome effective June 1, 2017. The appeal regarding entitlement to a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since November 7, 2017. The RO has denied increased ratings for the right knee instability prior to May 14, 2021 and from May 14, 2021, as well as for the left knee instability prior to December 5, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's left knee symptoms, and for an examination and medical opinion addressing the Veteran's impairment without considering the ameliorating effects of meloxicam, ibuprofen, and hydrocortisone cream.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are granted as service-connected, while his right and left knee disabilities and deviated septum are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS). The effective dates are not specified as they were not on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including service treatment records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, with shin splints and ankle strain are being remanded due to the introduction of new VA medical evidence that was not considered in the most recent decision. The Veteran must be provided a new VA examination to consider her newly reported symptomology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disability, back disability (claimed as aggravated by right knee), and acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of a medical nexus. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, as well as the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's disabilities include musculoskeletal issues, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, lung conditions, headaches, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, kidney conditions, eye conditions, peripheral neuropathies, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral knee disabilities has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development. The issues of rating higher than 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action consistent with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The Veteran is seeking service connection for right knee and back disorders, but the evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right hip and knee disabilities, as well as his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 30, 2016. The reasons are that not all requested medical records have been obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has ordered remand for further development regarding his cervical spine condition, bilateral upper extremities radiculopathy conditions, right knee condition, left hand carpal tunnel condition, and right hand carpal tunnel condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the service connection and rating for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle disability, right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent for each knee, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to April 21, 2023 and 20 percent from that date. The Board has found the VA examination report inadequate for adjudication purposes due to lack of range of motion testing in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. Therefore, a remand is required to obtain a complete knee examination. Additionally, as there is potential for changes in disability ratings with the requested development on the Veteran's right knee disability claim, the TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, finding that the claim was not filed until January 12, 2012.