Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee degenerative joint disease from the specified dates were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically concerning functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The VA is required to obtain additional retrospective opinions from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the cases for compliance with the terms of a joint motion, due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiners. The claim is not about service connection but rather about separate ratings for knee instability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the impact of both his left and right knee disabilities on his employment, as well as a formal claim for service connection for the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran contends that his current knee conditions are related to his active service or a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for further assessment of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate evaluation for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2022 VA examination report. A new examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as 20 percent disabling for instability from October 31, 2007 to March 10, 2015 and increased to 30 percent thereafter.,An earlier effective date of October 31, 2007 has been granted for the initial ratings of 20 percent for both knees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues being denied or remanded. The Veteran received a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain prior to July 28, 2022, and an increase in the rating of his left ankle disorder from noncompensable to 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for right knee instability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate slight instability without requiring any assistive devices or braces.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected skin disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left knee fibular shaft disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his right knee disability, as well as service connection for a herniated naval. The initial rating for chronic obstructive sleep apnea and bronchitis with calcified hilar lymph node remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a significant injury to his knee during service and no credible evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee conditions and left hip disability, as well as whether these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, right knee, left ankle, sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea), left shoulder osteoarthritis, PTSD, and hypothyroidism. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to in-service parachute jumps or undiagnosed illnesses/chronic multisymptom illnesses, as well as considering the impact of obesity caused by service-connected disabilities on his current symptoms.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating will be remanded so that addendum opinions can address the issues raised by the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to issues with scheduling VA examinations in Iwakuni City, Japan. The Veteran was not properly notified of examination arrangements.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees, residuals of muscle/tendon rotator cuff injury of the left shoulder, and chronic and recurrent strains of the right hamstring.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough and right knee pain are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, neck disability, and foot disability. The VA is directed to obtain medical opinions regarding these claims.