Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of records, including seeking additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for left knee disability is dismissed. The claims of entitlement to a higher rating for low back disability and service connection for GERD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation of the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the SMC loss of use claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected sinusitis, right and left knee instability. The Veteran's sinusitis is rated as 30 percent prior to September 23, 2020, but not higher. His right and left knee instability are both denied as they do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate 10 percent rating, effective January 31, 2020. The claims for service connection and increased ratings for other conditions are remanded due to allegations of worsening.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The right knee disability issue was remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete medical opinions regarding functional loss without medication. The Veteran is also required to complete a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have not met the criteria for higher evaluations prior to November 7, 2019.,Higher evaluations are denied as the Veteran's knee flexion and extension limitations do not meet the required percentages under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for right and left knee disorders due to conflicting opinions on whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined schedular evaluation did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that his current disability is due to active service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is reopened and remanded. The effective date of an increased rating for right shoulder disorder remains January 31, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, to include as secondary to left knee disability due to further development and medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability have been granted, and a 20 percent rating has been assigned for her right foot disability from January 29, 2015 to April 18, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right knee strain due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral sciatica due to in-service events such as constant bending over, crawling on knees, and laying on back during 8 years of fixing vehicles. The VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation and updated medical records to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn, leaving the issues of left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability to be decided.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability was reopened based on new evidence showing a connection to service. The claim for acquired psychiatric disability was granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.