Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The left knee, bilateral thumb condition, low back condition, and left foot condition are all remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for GERD is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's cases due to a lack of VA examination for lumbosacral strain and right knee strain, which were previously denied increased ratings. The Veteran was not provided with an appropriate VA examination as scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lung disability, back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and right wrist disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for her service-connected knee disabilities is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for an opinion regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on her knee symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2022.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for knee and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The main issue is the secondary service connection claim for right and left knee conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that his right knee extension was not limited to greater than 20 degrees and his right knee flexion was not limited to fewer than 90 degrees during the period beginning December 12, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including right shoulder glenohumeral degenerative arthritis, left shoulder glenohumbral degenerative arthritis, bilateral hand osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee, wrist, back, elbow, and hip disabilities manifested by pain are granted. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to changes in rating criteria for knee disabilities and the need to obtain relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis and left ankle arthritis are granted increased disability ratings, while the left knee degenerative arthritis postoperative residuals remain denied.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee instability are granted with a disability rating of 30 percent effective December 17, 2019. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person as he is unable to perform daily activities independently due to his physical impairments.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, left hip, and kidney disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 12, 2016 has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal.

Service connection for limitation of extension of left knee is restored, effective September 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings of 20 percent for the left shoulder and 10 percent for the right knee are appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. Service connection was also established for major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and trauma-related disorder. The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 40 percent from January 24, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left foot condition is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of bilateral knee and low back disabilities due to insufficient opinions addressing all potential theories of service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained on remand are inadequate and did not comply with the October 2022 Board remand directives. The claims for service connection must be remanded again due to the need for additional examinations.