Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,No compensable rating was granted for hearing loss prior to September 3, 2020, from September 3, 2020, to May 20, 2021, and thereafter.

The Board has remanded the initial rating claims for right knee degenerative changes and status post left leg compartment release due to insufficient motion loss estimates during flare-ups provided by VA clinicians.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for further development, including an addendum opinion regarding the need for a total knee replacement.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis affecting multiple joints, including the back, ankles, hands, hips, and knees. The decision is based on a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a jaw condition and loss of tooth #9 were denied in May 2012 and April 2011 rating decisions, respectively. The RO determined that the evidence of record failed to demonstrate that the Veteran had a diagnosis of a jaw condition or chronic residuals of trauma or disease of the jaw or hard palate.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a bilateral knee disability were denied in April 2011 and May 2012 rating decisions, respectively. The RO determined that the evidence of record failed to demonstrate that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus had been permanently aggravated or that secondary service connection was warranted for a knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and insomnia, is granted. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, as secondary to his right total knee arthroplasty, is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable prior to April 2, 2018 and granted a 10% rating from that date. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee bursitis and residual ankle pain due to recurrent soft tissue infection with cellulitis of the left lower leg.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous VA examinations are required to provide a current picture of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities at issue on appeal, and remands for these examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it has been raised by the record.

The Veteran's limitation of extension of the left knee was granted a 40 percent disability rating from February 24, 2015, through April 9, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities is REMANDED.,PTSD ratings are also REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion or scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar disorders. The claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for headaches and joint pain/rheumatoid arthritis are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for new opinions. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a chest pain condition, left knee disability (including as secondary to right knee disability), acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), and COPD due to additional VA medical records being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's right knee and lumbar disc herniation and IVDS disabilities are granted. The left knee disability is remanded for a new examination, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various knee conditions and a lumbar spine disorder due to his request to withdraw these claims prior to the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's right knee medial instability and lumbosacral spine disability have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a 20% rating. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy caused or aggravated his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and left foot hallux valgus. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition is granted a noncompensable rating, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for right knee disability, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding VA treatment records. Separate compensable ratings are also being considered.