Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his injury in service in 1977.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to the grant of maximum schedular rating for headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss. The Board also finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current left knee condition or PTSD are related to his military service, thus remanding these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle strain, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and wrist disorders due to uncertainty regarding the diagnosis and etiology of his conditions, as well as lack of probative medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, hip, and hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on this current appeal, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Panama and any other relevant medical records. The Veteran should also be provided an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board has determined that a Statement of the Case (SOC) must be issued because the Veteran initiated his appeal on an incorrect form. The issues will now be remanded for issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 16, 2019, for moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking increased ratings for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The left knee strain is also granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for a psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for emphysema is remanded due to insufficient evidence of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is denied as he does not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee condition has been manifested by painful motion and restricted flexion to 125 degrees. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his loss of range of motion with pain is adequately considered in the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address direct and secondary service connection, including aggravation. The Veteran's left knee condition is related to active service or military service, but not due to exposure to cold weather. His bilateral hand condition is also related to active service or military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to potential issues with the diagnosis of Osgood Schlatter's disease and whether his current knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disabilities and varicose veins. The VA examiners did not address in-service complaints related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee DJD and service connection for LLE restless leg syndrome were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or secondary service connection.