Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and verification of stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the assigned ratings for the Veteran's right knee scar disability and his headache disability. The AOJ is instructed to clarify the rating for the right knee scar disability, obtain updated treatment records, and arrange for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely cause of any headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to submit an updated application form. The Board also remanded other issues related to increased ratings for various knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's left knee surgical scar, specifically her pain and impact on walking.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher ratings and TDIU due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied prior to March 17, 2017 due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. From March 17, 2017, the Veteran has been granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.,The Veteran is now eligible for SMC at the housebound rate since November 22, 2017 due to his combined rating of 100 percent and other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for reductions in disability ratings for left ankle tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with limitation of flexion, and right knee degenerative changes have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw all her pending appeals.

The Veteran's left knee extension is rated at a non-compensable level due to limited range of motion.,Left knee instability was not shown prior to May 24, 2021. From that date onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for moderate instability and in excess of 30 percent for severe instability.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current right knee condition, and the claim for this issue is denied.,Similarly, there is no evidence of a current left knee condition, and the claim for this issue is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's periodic limb movement disorder, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, eye disability, back disability, or right knee disability began during active service.,The Board determined there was insufficient evidence to establish a connection between any of these conditions and periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claims of cervical spine, right hip, left knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting current diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of timely receipt of a notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the April 2016 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a headache disability, to include TBI. The cases are being returned for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is rated at 20 percent prior to July 18, 2017. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to September 29, 2015 due to service-connected disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the current diagnostic codes used to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran will be afforded a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues remain remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and her service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left quadriceps/ left knee disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating available, and a separate compensable rating for instability since September 29, 2022 has been granted. The Veteran's left knee scar and gland scar have not met the criteria for additional ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities (arthritis) due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination opinions. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to a motor vehicle accident during service, but there is uncertainty about whether these align with how arthritis typically develops.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to conflicting opinions on whether these conditions are related to active service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.