Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, headaches, sleep apnea, and a right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence did not substantiate the presence of these conditions during or related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and review of all relevant evidence, including recent VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his lumbar spine disability and patellar tendinitis, as well as rating adjustments for his low back disability.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right great ingrown toenail is not rated higher than noncompensable.,For the appeal period prior to October 24, 2019, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied.,For the appeal period from December 1, 2020, a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's left ingrown toenail and thoracolumbar spine condition are not service-connected.,Service connection cannot be established for the Veteran's left ingrown toenail or thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee degenerative joint disease based on limited extension, flexion, and instability due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic calcification of the right knee and traumatic arthropathy of the left knee, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent prior to June 7, 2022, and denied for a compensable rating since that date.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder, left upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity disability (including knee strain) are remanded.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including muscle pain and various joint and foot disabilities, are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection rules.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, lower back, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. A new VA examination is required to address the etiology of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to service connection and rating criteria due to the need for additional medical examinations or studies.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, adjustment disorder with anxiety, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and other conditions were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate 20 percent rating for her right knee meniscal tear from September 25, 2019. Other increased ratings were also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to October 6, 2021 as he was employed in a substantially gainful occupation with reported earnings above the poverty threshold level for a single person and a household of two people.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and left knee disability, as well as service connection for a right knee disability, are remanded due to the need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion is granted from December 17, 2014. The rating for right knee instability and extension remains denied.

The Board has restored the prior disability ratings of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee and ligamentous strain with instability, right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis, low back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.