Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee instability claim was granted, but the Veteran did not have a history of heat injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hip, knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,His cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities preclude him from performing the physical activities of his past work.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected left knee disabilities, including residuals and limitation of extension. The Veteran must cooperate with this process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The claims include knee injuries, sciatic nerve disorders, and a left Achilles tendon disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding flare-ups and knee instability. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of right knee disability is pending.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability post-surgery and another VA examination to determine the severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability. The hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or within one year after separation that could be presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting comprehensive VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include sleep apnea, left foot sprain, left ankle disability, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability as defined by regulation, and the Board has granted TDIU from February 7, 2011, to November 5, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chondromalacia patellar with arthralgia, left and right knees; a right foot condition (pes planus); left hip condition; low back condition; and right hip condition. The issues are being remanded due to concerns about the preexistence of these conditions prior to service.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication for control and is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that a rating of 10 percent, but not higher, is warranted.,VA examinations are inadequate to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee strain. A new VA examination is needed prior to adjudication of this claim.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and erectile dysfunction have been diagnosed but the medical opinions provided by VA are inadequate. Addendum VA medical opinions are needed prior to adjudication of these claims.,VA examinations are inadequate to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee strain. A new VA examination is needed prior to adjudication of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee strain with degenerative joint disease was denied. A separate 20% disability rating for limitation of extension of the right knee is granted effective April 24, 2018. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 23, 2017, remains pending.