Knee Board decisions

The Veteran was granted initial compensable ratings for hypertension and pseudofolliculitis barbae, but denied an increased rating for right knee disability. The right knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to November 4, 2022, and the appeal remains on hold due to a remand.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee fragmentation wound scar is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of a right knee scar is related to his active military service, specifically an in-service shrapnel wound during his tour in Vietnam. For other issues, including increased ratings for various disabilities and renal insufficiency prior to December 14, 2020, the decision remains pending as these are not final decisions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability and remands for further examination.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 60 percent for the service-connected right knee DJD status post total knee replacement (TKR) from August 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee patella alta was denied due to failure to report for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not return the necessary form and failed to cooperate with VA requests.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, neck, right knee, and left knee conditions due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim is also REMANDED for obtaining new treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability including as secondary to service-connected disabilities of the knees and for an increased rating for left knee disability status post ACL repair due to procedural issues, need for additional development, and need for new examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, sebaceous cyst, left hand joint pain, gallstones, and knee, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that his arthritis symptoms had onset during and were continuous since discharge from service. The decision is based on a presumption of service connection as a 'chronic' disease under VA regulations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as both service-connected disabilities (right knee and back) have been granted in full.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified insomnia disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating. The claim for TDIU from March 1, 2019 forward was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for both conditions were inadequate and remanded to obtain further opinions. The Veteran's claims for right knee condition and left foot degenerative arthritis are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 20, 2015.,Prior to June 20, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by residuals of meniscectomy with cartilage, semilunar, dislocated, with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint, is granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent under DC 5258. The issue of increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee flexion remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 15, 2018; rather his nonservice-connected disabilities contributed to his unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, initial ratings greater than 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, as well as initial ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis.