Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in prior examination reports. The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are being reviewed again with a focus on pain levels during range of motion testing.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms as defined by the criteria in the Rating Schedule. For the knee disabilities, the Veteran's service-connected instability and painful flexion have been remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing information about the competency of the VA examiners. The Veteran's skin disability of the right knee is being examined by a clinician to determine if it is related to in-service exposure to cold weather.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, thoracic spine, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed disability.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to lack of a medical nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee strain, right knee strain, and right ankle sprain residuals. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine whether the Veteran's claimed left-hand condition may be related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected fractured right little finger residuals, as well as whether his claimed right foot condition may be related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right ankle sprain residuals.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings for his service-connected knee and hip disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, addressing Francway request, and providing retrospective opinions regarding functional impairment.

The claim for service connection for left great toe ingrown toenail has been reopened and granted. The claims for general osteoarthritis, low back spina bifida, right hip disability, right hip shorter than left leg, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left foot arthritis, chronic congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, thyroid disability, edema, and skin irritation have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis were denied because she failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as she has the education, training, and residual functional capacity to work in sedentary positions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal after receiving a decision awarding him TDIU, SMC, and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding the issue of an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability. The Veteran must submit a timely VA Form 9 to perfect his appeal on this matter.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and instability are currently rated at 10 percent, effective from May 1, 2008. From July 16, 2013, the Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for his right knee instability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active duty service and has continued to the present. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The effective date for the 40% rating assigned for her lumbar spine disability is set at December 1, 2005. Her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are granted higher initial ratings from the date of the March 2023 VA examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to an injury sustained during a period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) and granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and separate ratings for right knee flexion limitation (10%) and extension limitation (10%), are granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective October 6, 2009.