Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's post-pilonidal cystectomy scar is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations.,Right knee osteoarthritis has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and a compensable rating (20%) for limitation of extension. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee, left elbow, and low back disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active duty or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied as the earliest effective date available has already been awarded.,The issue of an earlier effective date for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran and his attorney.,New and material evidence has been received, reopening the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition.,Service connection for right knee disability is remanded as VA examiner opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of the disability.,Service connection for left knee disability is remanded as VA examiner opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of the disability.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood is remanded due to a need for an updated assessment of the Veteran's condition.,Rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and related radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is remanded as VA examiner opinions are needed regarding the severity of these disabilities, including whether they manifest ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The Veteran is now entitled to a 10 percent rating for left hip limitation of extension, a 10 percent rating for right hip limitation of extension, a 40 percent rating for left hip flexion from May 18, 2016, and a 30 percent rating for right hip flexion from May 18, 2016.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee arthritis are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability, right sciatica, left sciatica, and respiratory disability claims are denied. Service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD is also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is not adequate for a contemporaneous rating and has therefore remanded the case to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.

The appeals of service connection for left and right knee disorders are dismissed as the claims have been fully granted in a March 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, and left knee arthralgia have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and back conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's private chiropractor provided an opinion linking his bilateral knee condition to a motor vehicle accident during service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a disability rating of 70 percent, effective October 17, 2017. Service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of Right Knee and Left Knee is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee instability and strain is granted, with the reduction in disability rating for left knee instability being restored. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder separate from OSA, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining issues of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and hemorrhoids are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic knee condition during active service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the current left knee pain does not constitute a compensable disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development and requests for additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis, left knee strain, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder tendonitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee, left ankle fracture, bruxism, plantar fasciitis, and residuals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a current disability or any link between his military service and his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances and the relationship between his dental condition and service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions during or within one year after service.