Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied a higher rating for the left knee disability and remanded the service connection claims. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The appeals for service connection for PTSD, right knee scars, left knee scars, and an earlier effective date for SMC due to housebound status are dismissed. The application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye disorder is granted.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals concerning neck arthritis, bilateral hand tremors, bilateral knee disabilities, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic headaches, right shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis, left shoulder bursitis (prior to March 18, 2015), knee arthritis, hand degenerative joint disease, ankle strains, and cervical osteoarthritis, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 22, 2017. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on this evidence.

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

The Veteran's left knee condition is granted a 20% rating prior to February 7, 2021, and denied for ratings in excess of 20%. The Veteran's limitation of flexion is also granted a 20% rating prior to August 1, 2022, and denied for ratings in excess. The Veteran's limitation of extension from August 1, 2022, is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left fibula fracture, finding that it was caused or aggravated by a fall due to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear and arthritis are being reviewed to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected right total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's right knee flexion was rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,TDIU from May 22, 2021 is moot due to the combined rating of 100 percent for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and meniscal tear, including a need for new medical opinions regarding functional impairment and whether the conditions are separate from her service-connected DJD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and meniscal tear of the right knee are remanded due to outstanding medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee sprains due to a need for further examination. The Veteran's reports about his symptoms will be considered, along with any medical reasons to accept or reject these reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and knee conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 20, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The claims for service connection for hypertension, right flat foot, left flat foot, lower back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders have been reopened. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has also been reopened.,However, the claims for service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae (also claimed as dermatology), residuals of chicken pox, and pneumonia remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 11, 2014. Therefore, an extraschedular TDIU is granted from August 11, 2014 to September 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating consideration. The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a head injury was withdrawn, and the maximum schedular disability rating for his left knee replacement is maintained. Issues regarding increased ratings for right knee disability, shortening of the left leg, right shoulder recurrent dislocation, and facial scars are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, knee, and leg disabilities due to their secondary nature to bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's current pes planus disability is related to service.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral hip, bilateral shoulder, eczema, athlete's foot, major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder are dismissed. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder on a secondary basis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disorder should be remanded to allow for proper procedural steps.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder, specifically whether it is related to service-connected disabilities or obesity.