Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee strain with limited extension is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee strain with limited flexion remains noncompensable. The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left knee instability.

The Veteran's left knee instability and ligament tear are rated at 10% from July 10, 2014 to February 7, 2021, and at 30% since February 7, 2021. The appeal is granted for the increased rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to the initial ratings and service connection claims. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right leg sciatic radiculopathy, and right leg meralgia paresthetica (neurological disability associated with the groin).,There is no evidence of any neurological disability until a March 2007 EMG revealed diagnoses of right leg sciatic radiculopathy at the L5-S1 vertebrae and right leg meralgia paresthetica.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right knee conditions and scars is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is dismissed because he actually sought service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to August 8, 2005, and not higher than 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with arthritis did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's right ninth rib fracture residuals are not compensable.,The Veteran's left knee disability and coronary artery disease with angina may be related to service, but further evidence is needed for a determination.

The Board has determined that the December 2016 VA examination is inadequate for rating purposes and remands the case to obtain a retrospective opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding functional loss in the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence or incomplete examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his left knee scars, insomnia, or instability of the left knee. Service connection for chronic left shoulder pain and chronic left ankle pain remains pending.

For the increased rating period on appeal, a 20% disability rating for right knee degenerative joint disease has been granted.,For the initial rating period from May 15, 2009 to February 7, 2021, a 10% disability rating for right knee instability was denied.,For the initial rating period from February 7, 2021 onwards, a 20% disability rating for right knee instability has been granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and meniscus impairment, is rated at 10 percent. The separate ratings for limitation of extension, instability, and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage are also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left elbow, back, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new private treatment records and requests for an opinion regarding his right hip and knee disorders. The VA will obtain updated medical records, schedule a VA examination, and provide opinions on the severity of his right ankle disability and whether he has any related right hip or knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for updated VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service, but may be aggravated by his lumbar spine disability. The left knee disability is secondary to the right knee disability. The rating for DJD/DDD lumbar spine needs clarification due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome, effective from October 2022. The Veteran's condition is characterized by limitation of extension to 30 degrees during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests a retrospective opinion related to the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability for the period prior to September 11, 2018.

Service connection is granted for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis.,Service connection is denied for gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's achalasia was not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for VA medical opinions regarding continuity of symptoms and etiology.