Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities. The AOJ must obtain all relevant records, ensure that the Veteran's VR&E file is associated with the claims file, schedule appropriate VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions, and readjudicate the issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disorder and TDIU due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the current condition is related to service or if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, as new evidence shows he has a current diagnosis of unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, major neurocognitive disorder secondary to TBI/gunshot wound to the head, substance abuse disorder, and PTSD.,The Veteran's right elbow disability was reopened, as new evidence suggests it may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee replacement and SMC based on loss of use of the left foot is denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for left shoulder and right knee disabilities have been granted. The claim for a left arm disability is denied, and the claims for right knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, a sinus disability due to asbestos exposure, right and left shoulder disabilities, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability. The remand is due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU effective February 1, 2019. The right knee conditions were rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, right foot sprain, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and right knee condition other than gout are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knees have been remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for a retrospective opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee pain but has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the right and left knees were denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,Service connection was granted for diverticulitis, but service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and low back disorder was denied.

The Veteran's right knee condition, including DJD and instability, was granted an increased rating of 20 percent prior to August 18, 2020. From October 1, 2021, the Veteran is rated at 30 percent for his right knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2006 to March 29, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, including limited/painful motion and instability, have been granted increased ratings since March 10, 2016. The right and left knees each received separate 20 percent ratings for instability, effective March 10, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to additional evidence received since the last VA examination.