Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of chronic low back strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have been denied due to failure to report for VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied as it was dependent on the nature of underlying service-connected disabilities including the back, radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10% rating from August 4, 2020 to November 21, 2022 for limitation of flexion. A separate 10% rating was granted for symptomatic semilunar cartilage removal of the right knee during this period. The Veteran's left knee disability received a 10% rating from January 31, 2020 to August 4, 2020 for limitation of extension and a separate 10% rating was granted for instability after August 4, 2020.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and requests for information regarding the qualifications of the examiner. The claims will be re-adjudicated after further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, as well as the initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee disabilities and TDIU prior to October 1, 2019 are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, and a TDIU claim due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disorders are being remanded to obtain additional VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for left knee arthritis and status post total left knee replacement, as well as service connection for sleep apnea due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right knee subluxation and degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the combined ratings already assigned to his service-connected disabilities met or exceeded the maximum rating for amputation of an extremity, preventing him from receiving a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent for painful motion, and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability. The right hip condition remains under review due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for the left knee condition cannot be established without further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed heart disorders (hypertension, atypical angina, non-obstructive coronary artery disease) considering whether they are related to his service-connected right knee disability with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted a higher rating of 30 percent from July 23, 2015 until January 22, 2018 and from December 3, 2021 to the present. The left Achilles tendon disability is granted a higher rating of 20 percent from June 2021.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee, right knee degenerative arthritis have been rated at 20 percent and 10 percent respectively. The Board found no evidence to warrant increased ratings under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran reported constant pain in his knees with flare-ups that limit activities of daily living.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year following discharge. The VA examiner opined that the current left knee joint pain is not related to the anthrax vaccination received during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disability, left shoulder disability, left forearm disability, headache disorder, PFB, sinusitis and a disability manifested by indigestion have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year following discharge that could be presumed to have resulted from service.,The Veteran's complaints during service were noted but resolved with treatment. No current disabilities related to these issues were found, and the VA examiner opined that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right ankle sprain. Additional development is needed as per a joint motion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied, and a separate 10 percent disability rating was granted for limitation of flexion with painful motion. The maximum schedular rating (30%) for patellofemoral pain syndrome is maintained.