Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement was granted a rating of 30 percent from October 22, 2012 to November 15, 2022.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee internal derangement is denied after November 15, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his service.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected right knee sprain. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension remains in a similar state.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right foot crushing injury and sprain of tarsometatarsal ligament of the right foot. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability and back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for left and right knee disorders, thoracolumbar spine disorder, sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and residual surgical scars related to thoracolumbar spine disorder are denied. The Board has remanded these issues due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to address the issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability and a temporary total evaluation following his November 10, 2021, right knee surgery.

The Veteran's service connection claim for DM II is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Korea. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents and grants service connection on a presumptive basis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.309(e). Service connection for left knee condition is remanded due to inadequate VA examination, while right knee condition is granted as secondary to left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of hiatal hernia surgery, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right and left knee strains, as well as service connection for a kidney disorder secondary to hypertension. The claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there are no indications of severe disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection claim for a left knee disorder, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of notice for a VA examination related to the left knee disability. The Veteran's service connection claim is now pending again.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities was denied from August 31, 2016. From June 18, 2018, the Veteran received additional separate 10 percent ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for a respiratory condition, sleep apnea, and a left knee condition due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not undergo right knee surgery or immobilization by cast in 2017 or 2019, or at any other time during the period on appeal. The claims for temporary 100 percent ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of breast cancer, sinusitis (claimed as sinus problems), left knee patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as bilateral knees), and right knee patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as bilateral knees) due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service periods.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee flexion and instability, maintaining the current noncompensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for a right knee disability, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for a right ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability (pes planus), and cervical spine disability due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted a 70% rating effective January 4, 2016.,A separate 10% rating for left knee instability is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be related to his service or any incident therein.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited extension and painful or limited motion, has been rated at 30 percent prior to October 12, 2022, and increased to 40 percent since that date. The appeal is remanded for further development.