Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking the current conditions to service, despite credible reports of in-service injuries. The VA opinions provided conflicting conclusions.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes are currently rated at 10 percent each, based on painful flexion. The Board denied higher ratings as the range of motion is not sufficient to warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted a 60 percent rating each, effective November 21, 2022.,Service connection for the left ankle disability has also been granted. The right eye injury and injury to the right side of the face were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression and anxiety), left knee disability, and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral foot, neck, right knee, and left knee conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several issues, including those related to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement, diabetes mellitus, unspecified depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee.,The Board also remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement from April 1, 2017, and service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2022 for limitation of extension. The rating is denied as the condition does not warrant a higher rating.,From April 2, 2022, the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a separate 20 percent rating for meniscal tear and a combined 30 percent rating for limitation of extension. The rating is denied as it does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with osteoarthritis and limitation of motion of the left knee was denied. However, he received an initial evaluation of 20 percent for instability of the left knee prior to July 21, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for a new examination to assess the Veteran's right knee disability, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of her right knee strain due to functional limitations during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it could significantly impact the decision on the right knee strain rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vision problems, right knee disability, and pes planus due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination or clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further consideration due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee strain, right knee strain, and degenerative arthritis of the spine have been denied. The reduction from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine effective December 7, 2016 was proper.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and a need to obtain additional private medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, to include chondromalacia patella, based on a finding of chronic symptoms during active service and the presumption under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has remanded this case due to insufficient evidence regarding the necessity of the requested home modifications and accommodations. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the previous VA examination, specifically regarding range of motion testing and instability testing. The Veteran's mobility issues and fear of falling prevent these tests from being conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of extension or a compensable rating for limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service or secondary to his right knee disability. The claim will be readjudicated after any additional development.